The Art of Seed-Saving: Growing & Saving Quality Seed – Part 2

Economic & Logistical Planning: How would seed production fit into the farm or garden year? Rotations, time to harvest, economic return and infrastructure needed, choosing which varieties to grow, contracts and contacting seed companies, resources available for farmers. We will view the infrastructure involved at Golden Rule Garden and then map out a potential seed production plan.

Seed is a great crop for small and subsistence farmers. Even very small gardens can produce seed that is salable to seed companies, if it is the right variety and produced correctly. Saving seed allows the gardener or farmer to quickly adapt their crops to local conditions, to grow specialty varieties, and to save money. For farmers, seed production can be a significant income stream or niche market. It is a good match for low-input systems because most of the crop biomass stays on-farm, available for composting, mulch, bedding, etc.

This course will teach gardeners and farmers how to plan, grow, select, harvest, clean, and market annual and biennial seed crops, from several pots on the porch to farm scale.

Site:  Ridgewood Ranch, School of Adaptive Agriculture and Golden Rule Garden

Instructor: Jamie Chevalier of Quail Seeds

Cost: $100 for entire course -or- $20/day

Register here for the entire course or RSVP to office@adaptiveagriculture.org for single classes (you can pay at the class).