The Power of Seeds
Most of us have the luxury of taking our food for granted. We go to the grocery stores or the farmers markets and we buy what we like, or what we can afford, and there is always plenty there. We assume there always will be plenty, simply because there always has been, but we leave the responsibility of safe-guarding our food, and the seeds they come from, to others.
If you’re like me, the more you think about that — especially with the climate changes that we can’t predict — the more vulnerable it makes you feel.
Most of us don’t think about what seeds are being used to grow our vegetables and grains and fruit, or whether those seeds are being cultivated in a way that will preserve their ability to withstand future droughts or flooding. Even when we choose organics and shop at farmers markets where we talk to the actual farmers, most of us don’t know very much beyond the labels they put on their produce at the market.
Whenever I hear people talking about the importance of seed saving and seed sharing and seed swapping, I get fired up. It makes so much sense (on so many levels) and it’s the kind of grassroots action that could literally save our world someday.
This video interview with Vandana Shiva is powerful, filled with intersections and plenty of food for thought.
Stephanie Ernst
Marji
Kelly G.
Deb
Mary Martin
Great topic. Protecting seeds is perhaps one of the most important ecological issues today. It’s at the heart of animal and human liberation. Eventually if all seeds are patented and controlled by corporations such as Monsanto, not only will farmers continue to suffer, even the backyard gardener will be threatened. It’s possible that seeds we use in our gardens that have been passed down from generation to generation would become illegal. This sounds drastic, but as corporations gain more control by putting patents on life, it seems conceivable that we would be coerced by law to purchase seeds from a handful of big monopolies.
Corporations should never have been allowed to patent seeds or life, to co-opt nature and turn it, piece by piece, into commodities. Dr Shiva’s books make the science and politics of GMOs easy to understand. Before reading her work, I was unaware of the extent of the problem with the battle to control seeds. The information is overwhelming–or as you said, makes a person feel vulnerable–but it also inspires people to protest against the proliferation of GMOs, grow their own gardens, and actively support farmers’ markets and food co-ops.
I attempted to create a seed bank for a few of the flowers I used to grow, but recently (after sprouting with success) I thought about storing seeds for the food I want to grow and eat. I thought about what it would take to produce and store more seeds, and if it would actually work – because I would eventually simply run out of stock. I want to learn how to store seeds long term and build up my own personal seed bank including labels AND trade seeds with a community of swappers – making sure everything is labelled, etc. It’s kind of like a card trading game, but much more enjoyable and with better rewards.
The only thing which is stopping me from doing this right away is the fact that I don’t know ANYTHING about seeds. There is also little point in seed banking without sharing – does that make sense?
There are seed swaps held around the country, and probably more online. I don’t know much about saving/storing seeds myself, though I would love to learn more. I bet there are some gardener forums that would be a good resource. I will ask some friends and see what I come up with!