Use our BC Seed Resources Directory to search through all of our website resource listings. Select categories to narrow your search. Know of a resource that’s missing? Let us know and we’ll add it!
Publications
While there are many high-end air-driven seed cleaning machines on the market, such machines can also be made at home or on farm using readily available materials – reducing the cost of this seed cleaning method significantly. One of the well-known designs for a homemade air separator is the zig-zag seed cleaner, the building of which we describe in detail here.
Category: Equipment Library, Publications, Seed Cleaner Plans
• Washington State supplies approximately 75% of the U.S. production and 25% of the world production of cabbage seed • 400−500 acres are grown annually in Washington State (350-400 acres of hybrid seed and 50-100 acres of open-pollinated seed) • Value of market seed sold to commercial growers is $22.4 million • Grower production costs are $3500/acre for hybrid seed and $1200/acre for open-pollinated cultivars
Category: Publications
The Organic Seed Grower is a comprehensive manual for the serious vegetable grower who is interested in growing high-quality seeds using organic farming practices. It is written for both serious home seed savers and diversified small-scale farmers who want to learn the necessary steps involved in successfully producing a commercial seed crop organically. Detailed profiles for each of the major vegetables provide users with practical, in-depth knowledge about growing, harvesting, and processing s...
Category: Publications
This is not a “How To Grow Seeds” manual. Such information already exists and still more is being produced. A resource list at the end of this book details some readily accessible print and on-line resources about the how-to of seedgrowing. Beyond the mechanics of growing and harvesting seeds however, there are other considerations for the farmer seeking to incorporate seedgrowing into their farming systems. The strength of this book lies in the first-hand experiences of a number of growers who...
Category: Publications
Easy to read chart for seed saving information on popular seed crops.
Category: Publications
All gardeners and farmers should be plant breeders, says author Carol Deppe. Developing new vegetable varieties doesn't require a specialized education, a lot of land, or even a lot of time. It can be done on any scale. It's enjoyable. It's deeply rewarding. You can get useful new varieties much faster than you might suppose. And you can eat your mistakes. Authoritative and easy-to-understand, Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener's and Farmer's Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving...
Category: Publications
A guide for vegetable producers farming one acre or hundreds of acres, One Level at a Time combines the latest science-based research with real-world stories from farmers to illuminate the challenges and benefits of organic transition. Full of practical information about organic standards, ecological and agricultural principles (agro-ecology) and marketing to set you on your path to successful organic production.
Category: Publications
OSA has condensed years of farming, gardening, plant breeding, and seed-saving wisdom into one manual to guide your seed growing. This manual provides the basics of how to grow seed, from choosing appropriate varieties for seed saving to harvesting, processing, and storing seed. The instructions assume that the reader has basic knowledge of vegetable growing.
Category: Publications
This seed enterprise budget tool was developed as a starting point to guide farmers who are interested in knowing the costs associated with producing individual seed crops on their farms. Enterprise budgets provide a snapshot of costs associated with a single crop for a single year and do not make predictions or forecasts for future years. However, they can be used to provide guidance for farmers who are considering investments in new equipment, training, or scale. Sensitivity analyses can be do...
Category: Publications
Broccoli seed production cheat sheet
Category: Publications
Carrot seed production cheat sheet
Category: Publications
This guide provides detailed climatic considerations for organic and specialty seed production in the Pacific Northwest. Topics include environmental influences on pollination and fertilization, and the influence of temperature, day length, frost-free days, precipitation, and wind. The guide also includes sections on environmental management, crop selection for seed production, and the history and geography of seed production in the region. Also available en espanol
Category: Publications
Cucumber seed production cheat sheet
Category: Publications
Use this record sheet to track annual seed harvesting and handling details, including weight, damage, harvest dates, seed sources, cleaning methods, storage conditions, and germination details.
Category: Publications
This manual teaches farmers how to breed carrots for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
Category: Publications
This manual teaches farmers how to breed sweet corn for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
Category: Publications
This manual teaches farmers how to breed tomatoes for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
Category: Publications
This manual provides an overview of on-farm organic plant breeding methods, including an overview of basic genetics, farm-based experimental design, and appropriate breeding techniques for organic farms, among other useful background and instruction.
Category: Publications
Tracking on-farm labor can be confusing or overwhelming, but it is also extremely important for growers trying to get a handle on what their operator costs are, or produce enterprise budgets. The forms in this tool are designed as a guide that offers different method for tracking. Three different forms are included in the Labor Tracking Tool for Seed Producers. Each operation (or operator) might prefer a different type of form or a modified version of one of the forms. The first form is designed...
Category: Publications
The report includes findings from a statewide survey conducted in 2016 on organic vegetable production in Montana. The survey captured challenges growers face in sourcing organic seed and asked them to identify vegetable crops in need of improvement, including desirable traits.
Category: Publications
Onion seed production cheat sheet
Category: Publications
This is the fifth of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This fifth webinar focuses on cleaning and record keeping.
Category: Publications
This is the final webinar in a six-part series on organic seed production that provides training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This sixth webinar focuses on seed economics and contracting.
Category: Publications
This guide is intended for producers and agricultural professionals seeking information about organic seed production. Most of the resources are focused in the western region of the United States (OR, WA, ID, and CA) but much of the information is applicable to all climatic regions. Each section of the guide includes a brief introduction followed by a list of available online and print resources and references.
Category: Publications
This report analyzes input from targeted stakeholders — farmers, plant breeders, seed companies, food industry, and others — throughout the Pacific Northwest on regional priorities for organic plant breeding. The report provides an overview of priority traits by crop, organic breeding priorities that address broad production challenges within sub-regions of the Pacific Northwest, and opportunities for future research, education, development efforts, and potential collaborations to address the ne...
Category: Publications
Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) is a highly effective on-farm breeding method that involves a close collaboration between farmers and researchers. The approach provides farmers an opportunity to adapt crop varieties to their specific regions and organic farming practices. This toolkit includes a background on the theory and practice of PPB, case studies of successful projects, and worksheets to facilitate project planning and execution.
Category: Publications
This new publication aids organic seed producers in understanding the role and diversity of seed crop pollinators, as well as strategies for reducing pollen movement between organic and non-organic farms. Profiles of common pollinators, strategies for managing pollination, and guidelines for specific crops are all included.
Category: Publications
This guide includes the basic instruction need for on-farm organic bean seed production. Topics include understanding basic bean seed biology, climatic and soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instruction for on-farm organic beet seed production. Topics include understanding basic beet seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instruction needed for on-farm organic carrot seed production. Topics include basic carrot seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic lettuce seed production. Topics include basic lettuce seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic radish seed production. Topics include basic radish seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
In order to promote seed security awareness successfully, we found it crucial that we have information about what BC organic farmers are already doing to ensure their own seed security. Thus, this survey was created to gather important information from farmers. We hope that by utilizing the results of this survey, as well as continuing talks with organic farmers, that we can develop a plan to decrease reliance on larger seed companies and increase reliance on each other for sourcing quality seed...
Category: Publications
The 2014 BC Seed Producers Survey was developed and hosted by the BC Seeds Project, a project of FarmFolk CityFolk. Designed to inform the business plan of the B.C. Eco Seed Producers Co‐operative, a for profit co‐operative for British Columbia (BC) certified organic and ecological seed producers, the goal of the survey was to research the production and use of BC-grown certified organic and ecological seeds, and to gauge producer (i.e., small-scale commercial seed producers), interest in part...
Category: Publications
Vegetable soybean (Glycine max Merr L.) popularly known as Edamame, is a crop with rising popularity in the western world. Its rich nutritive value and health benefits have created increasing market demand among health conscious consumers. Though this crop is generally adapted to Asian countries, its cultivation is slowly expanding in Europe and North America. Edamame seeds and frozen pods imported from Asia, mainly from China, Taiwanand Japan, are available in market place and super stores. How...
Category: Publications
This is a summarizing document to provide a verification support to the edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr L.) study reported from 2009 – 2015 as an effort to help meet the mission of The Sharing Farm and Richmond Food Security Society. The 2016 study was designed using (a) segregating populations of spontaneous mutations identified and developed at The Sharing Farm, (b) varieties tested for adaptation at Richmond agro-climate, and (c) appropriate technology for local seed production. Studies were p...
Category: Publications
The long-term objectives of this 4-year project are, broadly, to increase the viability of growing organic and ecologically grown carrot seed in high tunnel isolation structures. In addition to addressing the reality of cross-pollination with Queen Anne’s Lace, the outcomes generated by this research will also point to best practices in increasing the yield of regionally adapted seed through the potential of growing out multiple carrot varieties without cross-pollination.
Category: Publications
Whether they are planted or consumed, seed is at the origin of our agricultural and food systems. Seeds carry the essence of the agricultural biodiversity responsible for food system resilience. Despite the importance of agrobiodiversity, 90% of the agricultural crop varieties have disappeared over the last century due to the increase of the industrial-type corporations’ control over seed systems (FAO, 2015). In response to this decline, there has been increasing efforts to build a strong global...
Category: Publications
The main objective of seed extraction and cleaning is to; reduce the bulk and weight by removing non-seed chaff or debris, and to put seed into a suitable condition for storage and/or sowing. The principles of seed cleaning are to separate seeds and their associated structures into different fractions and retain only good, healthy, viable seeds. These fractions usually include; -good, healthy, insect free, viable filled seeds -find debris (smaller in size and lighter than seed) -coarse debris (l...
Category: Publications
These notes are a record of some of the information shared at Gathering Together Farm, where the field day focused on seed production by Frank Morton, a specialty lettuce and brassica seed producer, and farmer-breeder.
Category: Publications
This summary is based on a talk by Professor Fred Crowe from Oregon State University. The transcript can be viewed here. The original sound recording is here.
Category: Publications
Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) “star legume” is the most widely grown and used legume in the world. USA and Brazil dominate the production of grain type soybean while China and Taiwan dominate the production of vegetable type soybean popularly known as ‘Edamame’. Japan and USA are major importers of Edamame. Soybeans, in general, are rich in protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, omega -3 fatty acids and other nutrients. In addition Edamame contains more proteins, sucrose and abscisic acids th...
Category: Publications
A variety trial is an effective tool for assessing a range of varieties within a given crop to find a suitable variety for your farming system or to identify varieties with characteristics you are looking for in that crop. Variety trials are best performed over multiple seasons to better identify environmental factors in performance, “Every season is different, and it is important to make sure that a new variety holds up under the range of environmental conditions your farm experiences.” (Organi...
Category: Publications
Various how-to guides for organic seed production.
Category: Publications
This is the fourth of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This fourth webinar focuses on seed quality, harvesting techniques and equipment.
Category: Publications
This is the third of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This third webinar focuses on diseases and pests.
Category: Publications
This is the second of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This second webinar focuses on trials and selection.
Category: Publications
This is the first of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This first webinar is an introduction to the series.
Category: Publications
These online tutorials teach professional techniques for organic seed production of brassicas, carrots, lettuce, onions, beets and chard, and wet-seeded crops. The tutorials also cover climatic considerations and the topics of seed disease and quality.
Category: Publications
This webinar provides an overview of Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) project results from the first three years, including advancements in breeding for nematode resistance and insights into the genetic component of a plant’s response to beneficial microbiota and implications for organic farming systems. This webinar is presented by CIOA project partners.
Category: Publications
Watch an archive of webinar sessions from our 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference held January 19 – 21, 2012, in Port Townsend, Washington. This webinar series includes the following sessions: Introduction to On-Farm Plant Breeding; Organic Wheat Breeding; Breeding Peas, Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Winter Squash, and Carrots as Part of NOVIC; Organic Corn Breeding; Breeding for Nutrition; and Breeding for Positive Microbial Interactions.
Category: Publications
Watch an archive of webinar sessions from our 7th Organic Seed Growers Conference held January 30 – February 1, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon. This webinar series includes the following sessions: Why Organic Seed Matters and How to Meet the Demand; Research Update: Small Grains and Corn; Research Update: Vegetable Crops; Unpacking the Cell Fusion Debate; Pollinator Conservation Strategies for Organic Seed Producers; and Managing Seed-Borne Diseases in Seed Production.
Category: Publications
Watch an archive of webinars from our 8th Organic Seed Growers Conference held February 4 – 6, 2016, in Corvallis, Oregon. This webinar series includes the following sessions: State of Organic Seed; What Indigenous Farmers Taught Me About Building Seed and Food Sovereignty; Seed Economics; Vegetable Breeding Research Updates; Organic Cover Crop Seed Production; Vegetable Seed Production: Scaling Up; Managing Seed Borne Pathogens; and a Seed Production Intensive.
Category: Publications
Full listings of Organic Seed Alliance's Variety Trials
Category: Publications
Tracking on-farm labor can be confusing or overwhelming, but it is also extremely important for growers trying to get a handle on what their operator costs are, or produce enterprise budgets. The forms in this tool are designed as a guide that offers different method for tracking. Three different forms are included in the Labor Tracking Tool for Seed Producers. Each operation (or operator) might prefer a different type of form or a modified version of one of the forms. The first form is designed...
Category: Publications
This guide is intended for producers and agricultural professionals seeking information about organic seed production. Most of the resources are focused in the western region of the United States (OR, WA, ID, and CA) but much of the information is applicable to all climatic regions. Each section of the guide includes a brief introduction followed by a list of available online and print resources and references.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic lettuce seed production. Topics include basic lettuce seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic spinach seed production. Topics include basic spinach seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
Category: Publications
See full listings of event proceedings and webinars from the Organic Seed Growers Conference
Category: Publications
Common questions around foundation, stock, and production seed are: How much foundation seed do I need to ensure I have enough stock seed? How much stock seed should I produce every third year for my production seed? The Production Planning Tool for Seed Producers is a simple excel sheet that helps guide decision making around how much and how often to produce foundation, stock, and production seed based on your operation, desired inventory, longevity of the seed, and estimated yield. A blank te...
Category: Publications
Use this record sheet to track annual seed crop production, including crop location, emergence details, cultivation methods, harvest dates, selection characteristics, and disease and pest damage.
Category: Publications
Farmers need quality seed that is free of disease and that delivers on advertised germination rates, vigor, trueness to type, and specific traits for a particular variety. This manual provides recommendations to assure the quality of seed Montana’s specialty crop growers produce. The recommendations are intended as best practices to assist growers in reducing the risk of producing or selling inferior quality seed. The practices in this guide focus on growers who sell primarily vegetable seed. Th...
Category: Publications
This report includes findings from an online survey developed with support from our regional partners to assess organic seed systems in the Southeast and identify collaborative opportunities to expand and improve these systems. The survey was advertised to farmers and gardeners throughout the Southeast, and was open from November 2011 through March 2012.
Category: Publications
Organic food should begin with organic seed. Right now most organic farmers rely on seed that isn’t organic. But that’s changing, for the good. Organic farmers produce food differently, and that means they need different seed for the crops they grow: seed developed to thrive without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and adapted to their local climate and soil conditions. State of Organic Seed is a project of Organic Seed Alliance that monitors the status of organic seed in the US and provide...
Category: Publications
State of Organic Seed is an ongoing project to monitor the status of organic seed systems in the United States. The project aims to develop diverse stakeholder involvement in implementing policy, research, education, and market‐driven activities that result in the improved quality, integrity, and use of organic seed. This report is the first comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in building the organic seed sector. The first five-year update was published in 2016.
Category: Publications
Sweet Corn Seed Production Cheat Sheet
Category: Publications
On-farm variety trials help farmers manage risk by identifying optimal genetics for a grower’s unique environmental and market conditions. This guide provides farmers fundamental skills to conduct on-farm variety trials that reflect their particular goals and farming operations. Readers will find scientific principles presented in an accessible way, and will be walked though the process of planning, implementing, evaluating, and interpreting a variety trial. This tool is useful for farmers, as w...
Category: Publications
Tomato Seed Production Cheat Sheet
Category: Publications
Use this record sheet to score variety trials, including documenting varieties and trait scoring. Also see our variety trial planning worksheet.
Category: Publications
Use this worksheet to plan variety trials in your field. This document includes instructions and sections for capturing desired traits, varieties in the trial, planning tips, field assessments, trial layout, and evaluation criteria and timing. Also see our trial evaluation worksheet.
Category: Publications
The presence of inclement weather as seeds mature and during harvest may adversely affect dry-seeded seed crops. By following preventative measures and preparing for inclement weather, growers can significantly reduce risks and prevent financial losses. The scope of this publication covers weather-related harvesting issues and recommendations for dry-seeded crops in the Pacific Northwest.
Category: Publications
Winter Squash Seed Production Cheat Sheet
Category: Publications
Full Listing of OSA Work and Record Sheets
Category: Publications
Full Listings of OSA's Seed Production Resources
Category: Publications
Yield: 60 Canapes, Prep Time: 1 hour Carrot Red Lentil Hummus Ingredients 200g Red Lentil 5g Garlic Pinch of Salt 170g Raw Carrot (weight before peeling), medium dice 0.5 tbsp Spicy Crushed Chilies 0.5 tsp Honey 0.5 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds 0.5 tsp Salt 0.5 tsp Gr. Black Pepper 0.5 tbsp Tahini 0.5 lemon, juiced, no seeds 0.5 cup + 1 Tbsp Olive Oil Instructions Preheat oven to 400F Toss carrots, cumin seeds, chili flakes, honey, 1tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Lay evenly on a baking tra...
Category: Publications, Recipes
Yield: ~50 Servings Prep Time: 1 hour, Pickling Time: Overnight Ingredients 230g Golden Beets (1.5 Cups Chopped) 1Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar Pinch of Salt 3 Long English Cucumbers 2 Small Chioggia Beets Pickled Beet Brine 0.25 Cup Sugar 0.75 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar 0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds 0.25 tsp Black Peppercorns 2 tsp Turmeric 1 Sprig of Thyme Pinch of Salt Herbed Chevre 2 Cloves Garlic, minced 2 Scallions, green and white separated, sliced thin 1 tsp Vegetable Oil 100g Chevre 1 Tbsp Heavy Crea...
Category: Publications, Recipes
Yield: 80 sample pieces/ 8 Large pieces of cake The Cake Ingredients 4 medium beets, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch chunks 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda Salt 2 large eggs 3/4 cup warm water 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 pinches of nutmeg Vegetable oil cooking spray/ Coconut Oil/ Veg oil for pan greasing Directions Cover beets with 2 inches water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Re...
Category: Publications, Recipes
"The growing power of seed multinationals (with their worrisome use of Genetically Modified products and seed patenting), coupled with greater international financial distress has made community seed saving more important than ever. Readily accessible, locally appropriate supplies of varied seed are important to communities and will be even more so in the near future. Hopefully, instead of being held for an emergency, these seed collections will become a vital part of ongoing community life. Man...
Category: Publications
This series of short videos covers introductory seed saving practices with Patrick Steiner of Stellar Seeds, Jon Alcock of Sunshine Farms and David Catzel of Fraser Common Farm. Filmed on location on working farms, the series provides the next best thing to hands-on experience to beginning seed growers.
Category: Publications
Prep Time: 20 mins Cooking Time: 20 mins Servings: 6 Ingredients: 6 Ribs of Lacinato Kale – Rib removed and leaves thinly sliced 2 Small White Onions – Diced small 2 Small Red Potatoes (~ 1 cup) – Cut in half lengthways and then sliced widthways paper-thin – Store in water if more than 10 mins away from cooking 6 Cloves Garlic – Minced ½ Cup Grape Tomatoes – Halved 10 Small Eggs – Whisked 2 Tbsp 35% Cream 1 tsp Rosemary Leaves - Finely chopped 1 Tbsp Butter 2 Tbsp Olive Oil – (½ tsp for potatoes...
Category: Publications, Recipes
Prep Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 4 Hours Servings: 8 – 10 Ingredients: 398ml Can of Cannellini Beans 796 Can of Diced Tomatoes + Juice (Rinse can with ½ Cup of water to get all the flavour) 3 Cups Chicken (or vegetable) Stock ½ Cup Basmati Rice – Rinsed 1 Large Onion – Large Dice 8 Cloves Garlic – Chopped Fine 1 Medium Hot Chili – Minced (keep seeds for extra heat) 2 Large Carrots – 1” half Wheels 2 Bay Leaves 1 Tbsp Rosemary Leaves – Chopped Fine 2 tsp Oregano Leaves – Chopped Fine 2 tsp B...
Category: Publications, Recipes
3 Parts Prep Time: 20 mins Chilling Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 10 mins Full Servings: 2 Side Servings: 4 Part 1: Cous Cous Ingredients: 2/3 Cup Cous Cous 1 Cup Chicken (or Vegetable) Stock 1 tsp Olive Oil 1 tsp salt Method: Bring wet ingredients and salt to boil. Add cous cous, remove from heat, cover with lid and let stand for 5 mins Remove lid, fluff with fork. Transfer to a container with high surface area. Cool uncovered in the fridge Part 2: Kale Ingredients: 8 Ribs of Lacinato Kale – D...
Category: Publications, Recipes
This report represents the first effort to document information about plant breeding priorities that was previously only available anecdotally. More extensive research with an effort to improve response rates would further substantiate the findings presented here. However, when viewed alongside regional approaches to priority setting for plant breeding, the survey results can provide a broader national context for participatory organic/ ecological vegetable breeding. We hope it will be useful fo...
Category: Publications
New entrants to agriculture face significant barriers to entry. The rising cost of agriculture land and inputs makes it increasingly difficult to start-up a farm. From 2011 to 2016, the total number of B.C. producers fell from approximately 29,000 to 26,000 and the average age rose to 56 years. Despite these trends, the number of B.C. producers under the age of 35 increased by 205 to 1,825. New entrants, from diverse backgrounds, are entering the agricultural and agrifood sector across the provi...
Category: Publications
Washington's agricultural industry may be better known for the apples, carrots, hops, or wines produced here; however, the small-seeded vegetable seed grown in this state is the foundation for a major share of vegetable production in the United States and worldwide. Washington is known to produce high-quality vegetable seed: an essential ingredient in any crop equation. Without quality seed, no matter how much time growers spend preparing the land and controlling pests, they cannot produce prime...
Category: Publications
According to the WSDA Seed Program, Washington State now has over 70,000 acres in seed production, an increase of 30% since 2012. While mostly alfalfa, corn, and grass seed dominate this acreage, other farms are cultivating vegetable and flower seed both for on-farm use and to sell directly to consumers or contractually to seed companies. WSDA’s Seed Program can help guide producers through the regulations that govern seed sales to ensure high quality seed reaches the marketplace and complies wi...
Category: Publications
Seed is most often produced in the expansive outdoor environment. However, structures such as greenhouses and mesh tents can be used as isolation structures for research, breeding, variety segrega- tion, and environmental control of seed crops. Caged seed production using isolation structures presents several challenges and fun opportunities, including choosing structure design, set-up and maintenance, pest and pollinator control, and economic considerations. Challenges and Opportunities with Se...
Category: Publications
New Entrant Strategy
Category: Publications
Sourcing Medium-Scaled Equipment for Canadian Seed Producers
Category: Publications
Seed Saving Guide - Crop Specific Chart
Category: Publications
Seed growers in BC have identified lack of infrastructure as one of their barriers to scaling up seed production. The Mobile Seed Cleaner came to fruition to help address this infrastructure gap and act as an educational tool to promote seed production in BC. The design is based on a mobile seed cleaner built by the Organic Farm School on Whidbey Island in Washington State and was designed and fabricated over the winter of 2018-2019. This document provides an overview of the Mobile Seed Cleaner,...
Category: Equipment Library, Publications, Seed Cleaner Plans
This construction manual is intended for the purposes of building Farm Folk’s Seed Cleaning Unit. All materials can be locally sourced within the British Columbia, and no special equipment or processes are required for its construction.
Category: Equipment Library, Publications, Seed Cleaner Plans
Are you a Canadian seed grower who is thinking about getting a seed contract from a US seed company? Are you a US seed company looking to tap into the fantastic network of Canadian seed growers? But you’re wondering how to navigate the US / Canada border? Don’t worry, it is usually easier than you think!
Category: Publications
This electric winnower removes chaffs from small grains (barley, clover, quinoa, wheat), large grains (vetch, pea, bean) and dried roots.
Category: Publications
Conversion of a Leaf Shredder/Wood Chipper into a Grain Thresher.
Category: Publications
The winnower separates seeds from chaff by blowing the less dense chaff away as seeds fall down a column of air. Place the seed and chaff mixture on the tray. Turn the crank handle and move the seed mixture into the air duct. Manually adjust the crank speed to provide enough airflow to lift the lighter chaff up and out the top of the air duct, while allowing the denser seeds fall through the bottom of the air duct.
Category: Publications
A hand operated vacuum packing system (Figure 1) was developed to facilitate the storage of dry seeds. The system provides a means to seal containers with reduced oxygen content. A sealed container prevents rehydration of seeds, thus extends their viability. The reduced oxygen content suffocates adult insects that are stored with the seeds, and also extends the viability of the seeds by slowing down the seed respiration rate. This system can be used to vacuum pack dry food. Moist food, however,...
Category: Publications
Principles and practices of seed harvesting, processing, and storage: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and South.
Category: Publications
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
Principles and practices of isolation distances for seed crops: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Category: Publications
● Washington State produces up to 75% of U.S. spinach seed, which accounts for 8-10% of world production. ● 2000-3000 acres of spinach is grown for seed annually in Washington. ● Annual value of market seed sold to commercial growers is $24 million. ● Grower production costs average $1000-1200/acre/year.
Category: Publications
● Washington State ranks third in the U.S. in production of onions ● Washington produces 16.2% of U.S. dry summer onions ● In 2002, 16,000 acres of storage onions and 1100 acres of non-storage onions were harvested in Washington. The value of storage onions was over $91 million. Non-storage onions were valued at $9.4 million. ● Dry onions were grown on 165 farms in Washington in 1997 ● Average yield values in 2002 for storage onions were 37 tons/A and 18 tons/A for non- storage onions ● Producti...
Category: Publications
David Catzel is a farmer at Glorious Organics Co-operative, a co-operatively owned and operated farming collective situated on Fraser Common Farm Co-op in Aldergrove, BC. They sell directly to restaurants, at farmers markets (as the Organic Farm Connection), and through a CSA program. See the article here: Meet a Farmer
Category: Publications
On small farms across British Columbia, a handful of growers has taken on a vital task to help save the planet’s food system. They are seed savers who plant and safeguard diverse varieties of food crops, herbs and flowers. By growing and saving the seeds of heirloom and open-pollinated varieties of plants no longer in common use, they are helping preserve plant diversity for future generations of farmers and food consumers.
Category: Publications
Most farmers’ markets lack information to make effective changes and improvements. We have designed three simple, low-cost methods to address the information gaps. The first two—attendance counts and dot surveys—are quantitative and can be used independently by markets. The third method is the more complete Rapid Market Assessment (RMA), which combines the two quantitative methods and a qualitative method called Constructive Comments and Observations (CCO). An RMA is a collaborative learning pro...
Category: Publications
Publications
While there are many high-end air-driven seed cleaning machines on the market, such machines can also be made at home or on farm using readily available materials – reducing the cost of this seed cleaning method significantly. One of the well-known designs for a homemade air separator is the zig-zag seed cleaner, the building of which we describe in detail here.
• Washington State supplies approximately 75% of the U.S. production and 25% of the world production of cabbage seed • 400−500 acres are grown annually in Washington State (350-400 acres of hybrid seed and 50-100 acres of open-pollinated seed) • Value of market seed sold to commercial growers is $22.4 million • Grower production costs are $3500/acre for hybrid seed and $1200/acre for open-pollinated cultivars
The Organic Seed Grower is a comprehensive manual for the serious vegetable grower who is interested in growing high-quality seeds using organic farming practices. It is written for both serious home seed savers and diversified small-scale farmers who want to learn the necessary steps involved in successfully producing a commercial seed crop organically. Detailed profiles for each of the major vegetables provide users with practical, in-depth knowledge about growing, harvesting, and processing s...
This is not a “How To Grow Seeds” manual. Such information already exists and still more is being produced. A resource list at the end of this book details some readily accessible print and on-line resources about the how-to of seedgrowing. Beyond the mechanics of growing and harvesting seeds however, there are other considerations for the farmer seeking to incorporate seedgrowing into their farming systems. The strength of this book lies in the first-hand experiences of a number of growers who...
Easy to read chart for seed saving information on popular seed crops.
All gardeners and farmers should be plant breeders, says author Carol Deppe. Developing new vegetable varieties doesn't require a specialized education, a lot of land, or even a lot of time. It can be done on any scale. It's enjoyable. It's deeply rewarding. You can get useful new varieties much faster than you might suppose. And you can eat your mistakes. Authoritative and easy-to-understand, Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties: The Gardener's and Farmer's Guide to Plant Breeding and Seed Saving...
A guide for vegetable producers farming one acre or hundreds of acres, One Level at a Time combines the latest science-based research with real-world stories from farmers to illuminate the challenges and benefits of organic transition. Full of practical information about organic standards, ecological and agricultural principles (agro-ecology) and marketing to set you on your path to successful organic production.
OSA has condensed years of farming, gardening, plant breeding, and seed-saving wisdom into one manual to guide your seed growing. This manual provides the basics of how to grow seed, from choosing appropriate varieties for seed saving to harvesting, processing, and storing seed. The instructions assume that the reader has basic knowledge of vegetable growing.
This seed enterprise budget tool was developed as a starting point to guide farmers who are interested in knowing the costs associated with producing individual seed crops on their farms. Enterprise budgets provide a snapshot of costs associated with a single crop for a single year and do not make predictions or forecasts for future years. However, they can be used to provide guidance for farmers who are considering investments in new equipment, training, or scale. Sensitivity analyses can be do...
Broccoli seed production cheat sheet
Carrot seed production cheat sheet
This guide provides detailed climatic considerations for organic and specialty seed production in the Pacific Northwest. Topics include environmental influences on pollination and fertilization, and the influence of temperature, day length, frost-free days, precipitation, and wind. The guide also includes sections on environmental management, crop selection for seed production, and the history and geography of seed production in the region. Also available en espanol
Cucumber seed production cheat sheet
Use this record sheet to track annual seed harvesting and handling details, including weight, damage, harvest dates, seed sources, cleaning methods, storage conditions, and germination details.
This manual teaches farmers how to breed carrots for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
This manual teaches farmers how to breed sweet corn for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
This manual teaches farmers how to breed tomatoes for organic production systems, including step-by-step instruction for developing breeding goals, identifying breeding material, performing breeding methods, and maintaining a new variety for quality and uniformity.
This manual provides an overview of on-farm organic plant breeding methods, including an overview of basic genetics, farm-based experimental design, and appropriate breeding techniques for organic farms, among other useful background and instruction.
Tracking on-farm labor can be confusing or overwhelming, but it is also extremely important for growers trying to get a handle on what their operator costs are, or produce enterprise budgets. The forms in this tool are designed as a guide that offers different method for tracking. Three different forms are included in the Labor Tracking Tool for Seed Producers. Each operation (or operator) might prefer a different type of form or a modified version of one of the forms. The first form is designed...
The report includes findings from a statewide survey conducted in 2016 on organic vegetable production in Montana. The survey captured challenges growers face in sourcing organic seed and asked them to identify vegetable crops in need of improvement, including desirable traits.
Onion seed production cheat sheet
This is the fifth of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This fifth webinar focuses on cleaning and record keeping.
This is the final webinar in a six-part series on organic seed production that provides training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This sixth webinar focuses on seed economics and contracting.
This guide is intended for producers and agricultural professionals seeking information about organic seed production. Most of the resources are focused in the western region of the United States (OR, WA, ID, and CA) but much of the information is applicable to all climatic regions. Each section of the guide includes a brief introduction followed by a list of available online and print resources and references.
This report analyzes input from targeted stakeholders — farmers, plant breeders, seed companies, food industry, and others — throughout the Pacific Northwest on regional priorities for organic plant breeding. The report provides an overview of priority traits by crop, organic breeding priorities that address broad production challenges within sub-regions of the Pacific Northwest, and opportunities for future research, education, development efforts, and potential collaborations to address the ne...
Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) is a highly effective on-farm breeding method that involves a close collaboration between farmers and researchers. The approach provides farmers an opportunity to adapt crop varieties to their specific regions and organic farming practices. This toolkit includes a background on the theory and practice of PPB, case studies of successful projects, and worksheets to facilitate project planning and execution.
This new publication aids organic seed producers in understanding the role and diversity of seed crop pollinators, as well as strategies for reducing pollen movement between organic and non-organic farms. Profiles of common pollinators, strategies for managing pollination, and guidelines for specific crops are all included.
This guide includes the basic instruction need for on-farm organic bean seed production. Topics include understanding basic bean seed biology, climatic and soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
This guide includes basic instruction for on-farm organic beet seed production. Topics include understanding basic beet seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
This guide includes basic instruction needed for on-farm organic carrot seed production. Topics include basic carrot seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic lettuce seed production. Topics include basic lettuce seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic radish seed production. Topics include basic radish seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
In order to promote seed security awareness successfully, we found it crucial that we have information about what BC organic farmers are already doing to ensure their own seed security. Thus, this survey was created to gather important information from farmers. We hope that by utilizing the results of this survey, as well as continuing talks with organic farmers, that we can develop a plan to decrease reliance on larger seed companies and increase reliance on each other for sourcing quality seed...
The 2014 BC Seed Producers Survey was developed and hosted by the BC Seeds Project, a project of FarmFolk CityFolk. Designed to inform the business plan of the B.C. Eco Seed Producers Co‐operative, a for profit co‐operative for British Columbia (BC) certified organic and ecological seed producers, the goal of the survey was to research the production and use of BC-grown certified organic and ecological seeds, and to gauge producer (i.e., small-scale commercial seed producers), interest in part...
Vegetable soybean (Glycine max Merr L.) popularly known as Edamame, is a crop with rising popularity in the western world. Its rich nutritive value and health benefits have created increasing market demand among health conscious consumers. Though this crop is generally adapted to Asian countries, its cultivation is slowly expanding in Europe and North America. Edamame seeds and frozen pods imported from Asia, mainly from China, Taiwanand Japan, are available in market place and super stores. How...
This is a summarizing document to provide a verification support to the edamame (Glycine max (L.) Merr L.) study reported from 2009 – 2015 as an effort to help meet the mission of The Sharing Farm and Richmond Food Security Society. The 2016 study was designed using (a) segregating populations of spontaneous mutations identified and developed at The Sharing Farm, (b) varieties tested for adaptation at Richmond agro-climate, and (c) appropriate technology for local seed production. Studies were p...
The long-term objectives of this 4-year project are, broadly, to increase the viability of growing organic and ecologically grown carrot seed in high tunnel isolation structures. In addition to addressing the reality of cross-pollination with Queen Anne’s Lace, the outcomes generated by this research will also point to best practices in increasing the yield of regionally adapted seed through the potential of growing out multiple carrot varieties without cross-pollination.
Whether they are planted or consumed, seed is at the origin of our agricultural and food systems. Seeds carry the essence of the agricultural biodiversity responsible for food system resilience. Despite the importance of agrobiodiversity, 90% of the agricultural crop varieties have disappeared over the last century due to the increase of the industrial-type corporations’ control over seed systems (FAO, 2015). In response to this decline, there has been increasing efforts to build a strong global...
The main objective of seed extraction and cleaning is to; reduce the bulk and weight by removing non-seed chaff or debris, and to put seed into a suitable condition for storage and/or sowing. The principles of seed cleaning are to separate seeds and their associated structures into different fractions and retain only good, healthy, viable seeds. These fractions usually include; -good, healthy, insect free, viable filled seeds -find debris (smaller in size and lighter than seed) -coarse debris (l...
These notes are a record of some of the information shared at Gathering Together Farm, where the field day focused on seed production by Frank Morton, a specialty lettuce and brassica seed producer, and farmer-breeder.
This summary is based on a talk by Professor Fred Crowe from Oregon State University. The transcript can be viewed here. The original sound recording is here.
Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) “star legume” is the most widely grown and used legume in the world. USA and Brazil dominate the production of grain type soybean while China and Taiwan dominate the production of vegetable type soybean popularly known as ‘Edamame’. Japan and USA are major importers of Edamame. Soybeans, in general, are rich in protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, omega -3 fatty acids and other nutrients. In addition Edamame contains more proteins, sucrose and abscisic acids th...
A variety trial is an effective tool for assessing a range of varieties within a given crop to find a suitable variety for your farming system or to identify varieties with characteristics you are looking for in that crop. Variety trials are best performed over multiple seasons to better identify environmental factors in performance, “Every season is different, and it is important to make sure that a new variety holds up under the range of environmental conditions your farm experiences.” (Organi...
Various how-to guides for organic seed production.
This is the fourth of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This fourth webinar focuses on seed quality, harvesting techniques and equipment.
This is the third of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This third webinar focuses on diseases and pests.
This is the second of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This second webinar focuses on trials and selection.
This is the first of a six-webinar series on organic seed production providing training for seed growers and their interns throughout the 2016 growing season. This first webinar is an introduction to the series.
These online tutorials teach professional techniques for organic seed production of brassicas, carrots, lettuce, onions, beets and chard, and wet-seeded crops. The tutorials also cover climatic considerations and the topics of seed disease and quality.
This webinar provides an overview of Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) project results from the first three years, including advancements in breeding for nematode resistance and insights into the genetic component of a plant’s response to beneficial microbiota and implications for organic farming systems. This webinar is presented by CIOA project partners.
Watch an archive of webinar sessions from our 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference held January 19 – 21, 2012, in Port Townsend, Washington. This webinar series includes the following sessions: Introduction to On-Farm Plant Breeding; Organic Wheat Breeding; Breeding Peas, Sweet Corn, Broccoli, Winter Squash, and Carrots as Part of NOVIC; Organic Corn Breeding; Breeding for Nutrition; and Breeding for Positive Microbial Interactions.
Watch an archive of webinar sessions from our 7th Organic Seed Growers Conference held January 30 – February 1, 2014, in Corvallis, Oregon. This webinar series includes the following sessions: Why Organic Seed Matters and How to Meet the Demand; Research Update: Small Grains and Corn; Research Update: Vegetable Crops; Unpacking the Cell Fusion Debate; Pollinator Conservation Strategies for Organic Seed Producers; and Managing Seed-Borne Diseases in Seed Production.
Watch an archive of webinars from our 8th Organic Seed Growers Conference held February 4 – 6, 2016, in Corvallis, Oregon. This webinar series includes the following sessions: State of Organic Seed; What Indigenous Farmers Taught Me About Building Seed and Food Sovereignty; Seed Economics; Vegetable Breeding Research Updates; Organic Cover Crop Seed Production; Vegetable Seed Production: Scaling Up; Managing Seed Borne Pathogens; and a Seed Production Intensive.
Full listings of Organic Seed Alliance's Variety Trials
Tracking on-farm labor can be confusing or overwhelming, but it is also extremely important for growers trying to get a handle on what their operator costs are, or produce enterprise budgets. The forms in this tool are designed as a guide that offers different method for tracking. Three different forms are included in the Labor Tracking Tool for Seed Producers. Each operation (or operator) might prefer a different type of form or a modified version of one of the forms. The first form is designed...
This guide is intended for producers and agricultural professionals seeking information about organic seed production. Most of the resources are focused in the western region of the United States (OR, WA, ID, and CA) but much of the information is applicable to all climatic regions. Each section of the guide includes a brief introduction followed by a list of available online and print resources and references.
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic lettuce seed production. Topics include basic lettuce seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
This guide includes basic instructions needed for on-farm organic spinach seed production. Topics include basic spinach seed biology, climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation, flowering and pollination, isolation requirements, genetic maintenance and improvement, harvesting, and common diseases.
See full listings of event proceedings and webinars from the Organic Seed Growers Conference
Common questions around foundation, stock, and production seed are: How much foundation seed do I need to ensure I have enough stock seed? How much stock seed should I produce every third year for my production seed? The Production Planning Tool for Seed Producers is a simple excel sheet that helps guide decision making around how much and how often to produce foundation, stock, and production seed based on your operation, desired inventory, longevity of the seed, and estimated yield. A blank te...
Use this record sheet to track annual seed crop production, including crop location, emergence details, cultivation methods, harvest dates, selection characteristics, and disease and pest damage.
Farmers need quality seed that is free of disease and that delivers on advertised germination rates, vigor, trueness to type, and specific traits for a particular variety. This manual provides recommendations to assure the quality of seed Montana’s specialty crop growers produce. The recommendations are intended as best practices to assist growers in reducing the risk of producing or selling inferior quality seed. The practices in this guide focus on growers who sell primarily vegetable seed. Th...
This report includes findings from an online survey developed with support from our regional partners to assess organic seed systems in the Southeast and identify collaborative opportunities to expand and improve these systems. The survey was advertised to farmers and gardeners throughout the Southeast, and was open from November 2011 through March 2012.
Organic food should begin with organic seed. Right now most organic farmers rely on seed that isn’t organic. But that’s changing, for the good. Organic farmers produce food differently, and that means they need different seed for the crops they grow: seed developed to thrive without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, and adapted to their local climate and soil conditions. State of Organic Seed is a project of Organic Seed Alliance that monitors the status of organic seed in the US and provide...
State of Organic Seed is an ongoing project to monitor the status of organic seed systems in the United States. The project aims to develop diverse stakeholder involvement in implementing policy, research, education, and market‐driven activities that result in the improved quality, integrity, and use of organic seed. This report is the first comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in building the organic seed sector. The first five-year update was published in 2016.
Sweet Corn Seed Production Cheat Sheet
On-farm variety trials help farmers manage risk by identifying optimal genetics for a grower’s unique environmental and market conditions. This guide provides farmers fundamental skills to conduct on-farm variety trials that reflect their particular goals and farming operations. Readers will find scientific principles presented in an accessible way, and will be walked though the process of planning, implementing, evaluating, and interpreting a variety trial. This tool is useful for farmers, as w...
Tomato Seed Production Cheat Sheet
Use this record sheet to score variety trials, including documenting varieties and trait scoring. Also see our variety trial planning worksheet.
Use this worksheet to plan variety trials in your field. This document includes instructions and sections for capturing desired traits, varieties in the trial, planning tips, field assessments, trial layout, and evaluation criteria and timing. Also see our trial evaluation worksheet.
The presence of inclement weather as seeds mature and during harvest may adversely affect dry-seeded seed crops. By following preventative measures and preparing for inclement weather, growers can significantly reduce risks and prevent financial losses. The scope of this publication covers weather-related harvesting issues and recommendations for dry-seeded crops in the Pacific Northwest.
Winter Squash Seed Production Cheat Sheet
Full Listing of OSA Work and Record Sheets
Full Listings of OSA's Seed Production Resources
Yield: 60 Canapes, Prep Time: 1 hour Carrot Red Lentil Hummus Ingredients 200g Red Lentil 5g Garlic Pinch of Salt 170g Raw Carrot (weight before peeling), medium dice 0.5 tbsp Spicy Crushed Chilies 0.5 tsp Honey 0.5 tsp Whole Cumin Seeds 0.5 tsp Salt 0.5 tsp Gr. Black Pepper 0.5 tbsp Tahini 0.5 lemon, juiced, no seeds 0.5 cup + 1 Tbsp Olive Oil Instructions Preheat oven to 400F Toss carrots, cumin seeds, chili flakes, honey, 1tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper in a bowl. Lay evenly on a baking tra...
Yield: ~50 Servings Prep Time: 1 hour, Pickling Time: Overnight Ingredients 230g Golden Beets (1.5 Cups Chopped) 1Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar Pinch of Salt 3 Long English Cucumbers 2 Small Chioggia Beets Pickled Beet Brine 0.25 Cup Sugar 0.75 Cup Apple Cider Vinegar 0.5 tsp Mustard Seeds 0.25 tsp Black Peppercorns 2 tsp Turmeric 1 Sprig of Thyme Pinch of Salt Herbed Chevre 2 Cloves Garlic, minced 2 Scallions, green and white separated, sliced thin 1 tsp Vegetable Oil 100g Chevre 1 Tbsp Heavy Crea...
Yield: 80 sample pieces/ 8 Large pieces of cake The Cake Ingredients 4 medium beets, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 2-inch chunks 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda Salt 2 large eggs 3/4 cup warm water 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 pinches of nutmeg Vegetable oil cooking spray/ Coconut Oil/ Veg oil for pan greasing Directions Cover beets with 2 inches water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Re...
"The growing power of seed multinationals (with their worrisome use of Genetically Modified products and seed patenting), coupled with greater international financial distress has made community seed saving more important than ever. Readily accessible, locally appropriate supplies of varied seed are important to communities and will be even more so in the near future. Hopefully, instead of being held for an emergency, these seed collections will become a vital part of ongoing community life. Man...
This series of short videos covers introductory seed saving practices with Patrick Steiner of Stellar Seeds, Jon Alcock of Sunshine Farms and David Catzel of Fraser Common Farm. Filmed on location on working farms, the series provides the next best thing to hands-on experience to beginning seed growers.
Prep Time: 20 mins Cooking Time: 20 mins Servings: 6 Ingredients: 6 Ribs of Lacinato Kale – Rib removed and leaves thinly sliced 2 Small White Onions – Diced small 2 Small Red Potatoes (~ 1 cup) – Cut in half lengthways and then sliced widthways paper-thin – Store in water if more than 10 mins away from cooking 6 Cloves Garlic – Minced ½ Cup Grape Tomatoes – Halved 10 Small Eggs – Whisked 2 Tbsp 35% Cream 1 tsp Rosemary Leaves - Finely chopped 1 Tbsp Butter 2 Tbsp Olive Oil – (½ tsp for potatoes...
Prep Time: 15 mins Cooking Time: 4 Hours Servings: 8 – 10 Ingredients: 398ml Can of Cannellini Beans 796 Can of Diced Tomatoes + Juice (Rinse can with ½ Cup of water to get all the flavour) 3 Cups Chicken (or vegetable) Stock ½ Cup Basmati Rice – Rinsed 1 Large Onion – Large Dice 8 Cloves Garlic – Chopped Fine 1 Medium Hot Chili – Minced (keep seeds for extra heat) 2 Large Carrots – 1” half Wheels 2 Bay Leaves 1 Tbsp Rosemary Leaves – Chopped Fine 2 tsp Oregano Leaves – Chopped Fine 2 tsp B...
3 Parts Prep Time: 20 mins Chilling Time: 1 hour Cook Time: 10 mins Full Servings: 2 Side Servings: 4 Part 1: Cous Cous Ingredients: 2/3 Cup Cous Cous 1 Cup Chicken (or Vegetable) Stock 1 tsp Olive Oil 1 tsp salt Method: Bring wet ingredients and salt to boil. Add cous cous, remove from heat, cover with lid and let stand for 5 mins Remove lid, fluff with fork. Transfer to a container with high surface area. Cool uncovered in the fridge Part 2: Kale Ingredients: 8 Ribs of Lacinato Kale – D...
This report represents the first effort to document information about plant breeding priorities that was previously only available anecdotally. More extensive research with an effort to improve response rates would further substantiate the findings presented here. However, when viewed alongside regional approaches to priority setting for plant breeding, the survey results can provide a broader national context for participatory organic/ ecological vegetable breeding. We hope it will be useful fo...
New entrants to agriculture face significant barriers to entry. The rising cost of agriculture land and inputs makes it increasingly difficult to start-up a farm. From 2011 to 2016, the total number of B.C. producers fell from approximately 29,000 to 26,000 and the average age rose to 56 years. Despite these trends, the number of B.C. producers under the age of 35 increased by 205 to 1,825. New entrants, from diverse backgrounds, are entering the agricultural and agrifood sector across the provi...
Washington's agricultural industry may be better known for the apples, carrots, hops, or wines produced here; however, the small-seeded vegetable seed grown in this state is the foundation for a major share of vegetable production in the United States and worldwide. Washington is known to produce high-quality vegetable seed: an essential ingredient in any crop equation. Without quality seed, no matter how much time growers spend preparing the land and controlling pests, they cannot produce prime...
According to the WSDA Seed Program, Washington State now has over 70,000 acres in seed production, an increase of 30% since 2012. While mostly alfalfa, corn, and grass seed dominate this acreage, other farms are cultivating vegetable and flower seed both for on-farm use and to sell directly to consumers or contractually to seed companies. WSDA’s Seed Program can help guide producers through the regulations that govern seed sales to ensure high quality seed reaches the marketplace and complies wi...
Seed is most often produced in the expansive outdoor environment. However, structures such as greenhouses and mesh tents can be used as isolation structures for research, breeding, variety segrega- tion, and environmental control of seed crops. Caged seed production using isolation structures presents several challenges and fun opportunities, including choosing structure design, set-up and maintenance, pest and pollinator control, and economic considerations. Challenges and Opportunities with Se...
New Entrant Strategy
Sourcing Medium-Scaled Equipment for Canadian Seed Producers
Seed Saving Guide - Crop Specific Chart
Seed growers in BC have identified lack of infrastructure as one of their barriers to scaling up seed production. The Mobile Seed Cleaner came to fruition to help address this infrastructure gap and act as an educational tool to promote seed production in BC. The design is based on a mobile seed cleaner built by the Organic Farm School on Whidbey Island in Washington State and was designed and fabricated over the winter of 2018-2019. This document provides an overview of the Mobile Seed Cleaner,...
This construction manual is intended for the purposes of building Farm Folk’s Seed Cleaning Unit. All materials can be locally sourced within the British Columbia, and no special equipment or processes are required for its construction.
Are you a Canadian seed grower who is thinking about getting a seed contract from a US seed company? Are you a US seed company looking to tap into the fantastic network of Canadian seed growers? But you’re wondering how to navigate the US / Canada border? Don’t worry, it is usually easier than you think!
This electric winnower removes chaffs from small grains (barley, clover, quinoa, wheat), large grains (vetch, pea, bean) and dried roots.
Conversion of a Leaf Shredder/Wood Chipper into a Grain Thresher.
The winnower separates seeds from chaff by blowing the less dense chaff away as seeds fall down a column of air. Place the seed and chaff mixture on the tray. Turn the crank handle and move the seed mixture into the air duct. Manually adjust the crank speed to provide enough airflow to lift the lighter chaff up and out the top of the air duct, while allowing the denser seeds fall through the bottom of the air duct.
A hand operated vacuum packing system (Figure 1) was developed to facilitate the storage of dry seeds. The system provides a means to seal containers with reduced oxygen content. A sealed container prevents rehydration of seeds, thus extends their viability. The reduced oxygen content suffocates adult insects that are stored with the seeds, and also extends the viability of the seeds by slowing down the seed respiration rate. This system can be used to vacuum pack dry food. Moist food, however,...
Principles and practices of seed harvesting, processing, and storage: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and South.
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
An organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
Principles and practices of isolation distances for seed crops: an organic seed production manual for seed growers in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern U.S.
● Washington State produces up to 75% of U.S. spinach seed, which accounts for 8-10% of world production. ● 2000-3000 acres of spinach is grown for seed annually in Washington. ● Annual value of market seed sold to commercial growers is $24 million. ● Grower production costs average $1000-1200/acre/year.
● Washington State ranks third in the U.S. in production of onions ● Washington produces 16.2% of U.S. dry summer onions ● In 2002, 16,000 acres of storage onions and 1100 acres of non-storage onions were harvested in Washington. The value of storage onions was over $91 million. Non-storage onions were valued at $9.4 million. ● Dry onions were grown on 165 farms in Washington in 1997 ● Average yield values in 2002 for storage onions were 37 tons/A and 18 tons/A for non- storage onions ● Producti...
David Catzel is a farmer at Glorious Organics Co-operative, a co-operatively owned and operated farming collective situated on Fraser Common Farm Co-op in Aldergrove, BC. They sell directly to restaurants, at farmers markets (as the Organic Farm Connection), and through a CSA program. See the article here: Meet a Farmer
On small farms across British Columbia, a handful of growers has taken on a vital task to help save the planet’s food system. They are seed savers who plant and safeguard diverse varieties of food crops, herbs and flowers. By growing and saving the seeds of heirloom and open-pollinated varieties of plants no longer in common use, they are helping preserve plant diversity for future generations of farmers and food consumers.
Most farmers’ markets lack information to make effective changes and improvements. We have designed three simple, low-cost methods to address the information gaps. The first two—attendance counts and dot surveys—are quantitative and can be used independently by markets. The third method is the more complete Rapid Market Assessment (RMA), which combines the two quantitative methods and a qualitative method called Constructive Comments and Observations (CCO). An RMA is a collaborative learning pro...