Organic Seed Alliance puts the power of seed into the hands of growers
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Articles by Cathleen McCluskey
OSGC 2025: Weaving Visions of Organic Seed Communities
As the 2025 Organic Seed Growers Conference approaches, we are excited to unveil this year’s theme: “Weaving Visions of Organic Seed Communities.” This theme was inspired by thoughtful discussions with our planning committee, drawing on the diverse threads of the organic seed movement. Each seed steward, grower, and advocate brings a unique perspective and practice to our collective work of cultivating sustainable, regenerative seed and food systems.
OSA Local Meet Up
Organic Seed Alliance is pleased to invite the food and farming community of the Olympic Peninsula and neighboring counties to our local meet up. At this winter’s gathering, Dr. Micaela Colley, OSA’s former Research and Education co-director, will share histories and stories of some of the plant breeding projects that she co-led in the organization over the past 20 years.
Organicology - Organic Seed Alliance
From Organicology: Taking place March 12-14, 2025 in Portland, Organicology brings together contributors, advocates and change-makers from across the organic trade to revolutionize food, agriculture and economic models for the better. Together we share our work, progress, and challenges, unearth possibilities and build the deep connections needed to grow the organic agriculture movement today and for an ever-improving future.
Organic Seed Growers Conference
The Organic Seed Growers Conference is a biennial gathering by and for agroecological seed communities in the U.S. and across the world. The event creates spaces where experienced and emerging seed stewards can convene timely conversations, educational training, and strategy sessions.
NOSB Meeting in Portland this Oct., Comments Due 9/30 – OSA
We hope that you’ll join us in Portland, Oregon, for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) fall meeting on October 22 – 24, 2024. The Board has released a discussion document on consistency in organic seed usage (see p. 147), inviting public comments about organic seed usage in the National Organic Program.
Announcing new OSPREY research project
Port Townsend, Washington – September 12th – Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) and a consortium of research partners are pleased to announce the launch of a major new research project aimed at advancing organic seed production practices and expanding the availability of high-quality organic seed.
Register today for OSGC!
Hello, seed enthusiasts! OSA is thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 12th Organic Seed Growers Conference, taking place from February 26 to March 1, 2025, in Corvallis, Oregon. This year’s event promises to be our most dynamic yet, as we embrace a hybrid format that combines the best of both worlds – in-person connections and virtual accessibility.
Stories of Organic Seed Farmers
More than 20 years ago the seeds of what is now Organic Seed Alliance were planted on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. The history is rich and complex, but as I understand it, our organization was born as a result of the ideas and work of organic farmers who wanted to ensure access to abundant organic seed. The commitment and love that the Olympic Peninsula community has for organic seed is as alive now as it was 20 years ago.
Building Buckwheat Community -
Farmers, researchers, culinarians and eaters convened at the OSA WA research farm on August 26th to uplift the virtues of buckwheat from field to fork. Buckwheat interest is rising as an ideal crop to address climate change challenges, enhance agroecosystems, and diversify our diets. Several recent projects have initiated research, engaged culinarians, and expanded on-farm trials and buckwheat seed production including the New Grains Northwest and Soil to Society initiatives led by WSU.
Sorghum and Mung Beans for Community Plant Breeding
Dozens of varieties of sorghum and mung beans are growing at OSA’s California Research Field at the College of the Redwoods Organic Farm in Shively, CA as part of a collaboration with the Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance. It is the start of a new community plant breeding project to develop adapted and culturally meaningful new crop varieties. These lines came from the USDA plant germplasm system – the system of seed banks which hold seed of thousands of crop varieties.
Organic Grains Producer x Buyer Matchmaking
On September 8th OSA linked with the Culinary Breeding Network, Oregon State University and the Northwest Regional Food Business Center to co-host an Organic Grains Producer x Buyer Matchmaking Event in Portland, OR. Supported by the TOPP program and co- facilitated with Hannah Brause (Washington State University), this event formed valuable connections and explored opportunities in the organic grain market and network with industry peers before the Culinary Breeding Network’s Variety Showcase.
Plants Make Sugar and the Life of a Plant Begins with a Seed
We want to share with all of you that during the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2024, Amanda Milholland from the Jefferson County Farmers Markets invited Organic Seed Alliance to share about Organic Seed with children (of all ages!) attending the market. We enjoyed sharing, in a very accessible way, information about the importance of Organic Seed, how to produce it, and what is plant breeding. People sang, moved and learned with us. Here are some pictures of our adventure.
Fall 2024 Pre-NOSB Meeting
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) is hosting the Fall 2024 Pre-NOSB Meeting, in Portland, OR. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB Meeting takes place in advance of the National Organic Standards Board meeting each spring and fall. This meeting provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members. The meeting will include: A panel of local organic farmers discussing regional challenges and opportunities.
Resisting and Reimagining Agricultural Systems in Hawai'i: A Conversation with Andrea Brower
This spring I sat down with Dr. Andrea Brower to discuss her book Seeds of Occupation, Seeds of Possibility: The Agrochemical-GMO Industry in Hawaiʻi, from West Virginia University Press. An activist-scholar, Dr. Brower discusses the motivations and solidarity collaborations that inspired this book. Seeds of Occupation, Seeds of Possibility juxtaposes settler colonial, racist capitalist society with the people who are daring to dream about other possibilities.
Organic Seed Days with Community Food & Agriculture Coalition
Organic Seed Alliance is pleased to be participating in Organic Seed Days, a collaborative seed event in Montana. Join us for two days of on-farm learning, demonstrations, and workshops surrounding organic seed production. Organic Seed Alliance will be participating in partnership with the Triple Divide Organic Seeds, Transition to Organic Partnership Program, Community Food & Agriculture Coalition, Montana Organic Association, and others.
Talle sobre producción de semillas orgánicas
Este taller se ofrecerá únicamente en español. This workshop will be offered in Spanish only.
Washington Field Day and Buckwheat Festival
Farm Tour Field Day – 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. All are invited to join the OSA NW Research and Education team for a field walk and tasting to learn about our current research projects and partnerships. Featured projects include carrot, spinach, tomato, sorghum, mung bean and buckwheat trials. We’ll start with an overview, walk through the trials and culminate with a participatory taste test of a diverse rainbow of carrot varieties.
Organic Seed Production Workshop at 21 Acres
We are happy to invite you to a workshop on Organic Seed Production, with a special focus on Seed Cleaning, hosted by Organic Seed Alliance in collaboration with 21 Acres Farm. This workshop will cover the basics of organic seed production, with an emphasis on seed cleaning techniques. To enhance your experience, we encourage you to watch this video by our colleague Jared Zystro, and bring any questions you may have.
Midwest Seed Saving Field Day
Join us for a Seed Saving Field Day on August 17th, in collaboration with Keep Growing Detroit! This field day will serve as an on-farm workshop for farmers to learn about organic seeds, and to facilitate the increased use and production of organic seeds in the Midwest. A focus of this program will be how climate impacts seed production, and how organic farmers can mitigate against climatic challenges to produce high-quality seeds.
New paper on intellectual property and restrictions on research
A new research paper from OSA’s Advocacy & Communications director Cathleen McCluskey was published earlier this month in Plants, People, Planet. The piece highlights some of the results from her doctoral research, which focused on the intersections of intellectual property, standing genetic diversity of U.S. maize, and data democratization.
Year Two: Systems Approach to Maximize Organic Spinach Productivity - Organic Seed Alliance
Organic farmers need spinach varieties that not only have good disease resistance and stress tolerance but also produce good yields of high quality organic seed. To inform future organic spinach breeding efforts Organic Seed Alliance at the Washington Research Farm continues collaborating on the Systems Approach to Maximize Organic Spinach Productivity project.
OSA attends Fireside Chat with Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and Representative Slotkin in Michigan
Organic Seed Alliance was invited to attend the “Investing in America Rural Prosperity Fireside Chat” with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-MI 7th District) in April. The event took place in Williamston, Michigan, and focused on the needs of rural small business and family farms in the state, strengthening farming supply chains, and goals for the next Farm Bill.
Organic Seed Alliance participates in GiveBIG Campaign April - May 2024
Washington Gives recognizes how our lives are enriched by nonprofits that serve every community of Washington State. They coordinate an annual fundraising campaign called GiveBIG to help nonprofits such as Organic Seed Alliance, bring in vital funding to support programs and staff. We want to give a BIG shout out to all of the generous donors who participated in our GiveBIG campaign in late April and early May. OSA brought in almost $4000 dollars, an increase from our 2023 campaign.
Q&A with Kiki Hubbard
In March 2023, USDA published More and Better Choices for Farmers, a report responding to the Biden Administration’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The report underscored challenges farmers face when sourcing seed, including restrictive contract language tied to seed intellectual property and a lack of varieties that meet their production needs at a fair price.
Celebrating 20 Years of Sowing the Organic Seed Alliance Community
You say it’s your birthday???? It’s our birthday too! We have been blessed to celebrate 20 years of supporting organic seed growers and the organic industry through our research, education, and advocacy programs. And we are so excited about the next 20 years ahead. Throughout our 20th anniversary year we are fundraising to support and build our OSA programming and community.
Strengthening Our Roots with Two Returning Team Members
At OSA, our work with seed is constantly growing and evolving. That’s why we’re thrilled to welcome back two passionate faces who will help cultivate our work in exciting new directions. We’re excited to welcome Susana Cabrera-Mariz as our new Research and Education Program Associate in Washington state. Susana’s academic background includes a master’s in anthropology from Iowa State University, exploring the intersection of seed, culture, and public education.
Rethinking our Future
By Ana Galvis Summer is about to arrive. That time of the year when the northern hemisphere of the planet is closer to the sun, the fields and the gardens are letting us know what we are doing correctly and what we need to correct to keep alive the promise of a bountiful harvest. Our success can depend on how well we can interpret those messages.
Save the date: NOSB fall meeting in Portland, Oregon – OSA
Mark your calendar to join Organic Seed Alliance in Portland, Oregon, for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) fall meeting on October 22 – 24, 2024. The NOSB convenes public meetings twice a year to discuss and vote on proposals that aim to improve and clarify the organic regulations. Whether you can make it to Portland or not, we encourage you to submit written comments to the Board. Additional details, including discussion documents and written comment due dates are TBD.
California Organic Seed Summit
Save the date for the California Organic Seed Summit! This edition of the summit will take place in Southern California, outside of Los Angeles. Stay tuned for more details to be announced soon.
Remembering John Navazio
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. John Navazio, a pioneering plant breeder, gifted educator, and co-founder of Organic Seed Alliance. John left an indelible mark on the organic seed movement through his work breeding beloved vegetable varieties, fostering participatory breeding projects with farmers, generously sharing his knowledge, and inspiring countless seed growers.
Transition to Organic Partnership Program
Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) is excited to start working with the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) through the United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest regions. This partnership will expand OSA’s capacity to create regionally appropriate educational content and engagement with the organic community.
House Farm Bill Action Alert – Contact Your Representative Today!
Help us make a difference by asking your Representative to give organic its fair share of investment in the Farm Bill! The National Organic Coalition has issued an action alert asking the organic community to contact your Representative as the House Agriculture Committee prepares for the Farm Bill markup tomorrow, May 23. Please personalize the message below if you can and explain why organic agriculture is important in your state and community.
Guest lecture by Cathleen McCluskey at The Evergreen State College
OSA Advocacy and Communications Director, Cathleen McCluskey, will deliver a guest lecture at The Evergreen State College on May 9th.
Culinary Breeding Network's Sagra del Radicchio
From the Culinary Breeding Network: Discover why “Bitter is Better” at the fourth SAGRA del RADICCHIO! This event is not just about celebrating Italian chicories; it’s a journey into the world of underdog crops. From winter radishes to pomodori d’inverno, from dry-farmed winter squash, beans and corn to buckwheat and beyond, join us in a culinary and cultural exploration like no other.
Tilth Alliance's Tilth Conference
From the Tilth Alliance: Join us for this year’s Tilth Conference! Thursday-Saturday, November 14-16, in Vancouver, WA. Registration coming soon. From a meeting of 800 producers at a farm in Ellensburg in 1974 to a network of thousands of food system professionals and activists spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, Tilth has had a profound impact on our region’s food culture over the last 50 years.
Fall National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet to discuss substances petitioned for addition to or deletion from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), substances due to sunset from the National List in 2026, and recommendations on organic policies. The NOSB typically meets twice per year in various locations around the United States. Prior to meetings, the NOSB reviews written public comments and listens to oral public comments.
OSA at the Culinary Breeding Network's Variety Showcase 2024
Organic Seed Alliance will be participating in the Culinary Breeding Network’s Variety Showcase 2024. From the Culinary Breeding Network: Join us for the 10 year anniversary celebration of an engaging event hosted by the Culinary Breeding Network. Connect, learn and taste while celebrating the release of two new varieties of mild habanero peppers – ‘Mild Thing’ and ‘Notta Hotta’.
41st International Carrot Conference
Organic Seed Alliance is delighted to be participating in the 41st International Carrot Conference, happening in Raleigh, North Carolina from July 8-10, 2024. This year’s conference will share the latest in carrot research and innovation, featuring research presentations and posters as well as an opportunity to visit carrot cultivar field trials.
Calling All Voices: Submit Proposals for the 2025 Organic Seed Growers Conference
We’re excited to announce the call for proposals for the 2025 Organic Seed Growers Conference! This conference will be offered as a hybrid event with the in-person gathering to be held February 26 – March 2, 2025, at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. Virtual components of the conference will be held in Organic Seed Commons. You don’t need to be a researcher or academic to submit a proposal for the conference.
44th Annual Seed Savers Exchange Conference
In 2024, Seed Savers Exchange’s annual conference will take place over the course of four days in four different months. Join virtually for inspiring keynote speakers, informational workshops, and a chance to connect with the larger seed community. Friday, May 3 – Day one, “Community”: Beginning at 10 am Eastern Time Welcome + Keynote with Laura R.
Announcing Early Giving for GiveBIG 2024: Help us raise $20,000
It’s that time of year again – the buzz is in the air as we gear up for GiveBIG 2024. We’re excited to announce the launch of early giving; help us get a jump start on reaching our fundraising goal of $20,000! As part of this fundraising campaign, we invite you to join hands with Organic Seed Alliance in sowing the seeds of equity, abundance, and resilience for the future of organic seeds. What is GiveBIG? GiveBIG is a fundraiser that offers the opportunity to shape collective change.
Genetic variation for endosperm carbohydrates and total soluble solids in shrunken2, sugary1, waxy1, and wild‐type near‐isogenic corn lines across three harvest dates
AGPase adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase DAP days after pollination GCA general combining ability NIL near-isogenic line NIRS near-infrared spectroscopy SCA specific combining ability TSS total soluble solids WSP water-soluble polysaccharides WT wild-type 1 INTRODUCTION Endosperm carbohydrates from grasses (Poaceae) have been important for the flourishing of humankind for millennia and remain vital for nutritional needs today (Tetlow & Emes, 2017).
Funding Awarded to Support Western Organic Flower Seed Production
Organic Seed Alliance is delighted to announce that we have been awarded funding from the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grants and education program. This grant will support our project focusing on Western Organic Flower Seed Production, which aims to make a positive change in how flowers are grown, both for their seeds and the cut flower market.
GiveBIG to Support OSA in Sowing the Next 20 Years
We’re grateful to all of the donors investing in OSA to sow the next 20 years of growing knowledge and power for growers who work with seed! Thank you for celebrating our 20 year anniversary with your support – we absolutely cannot do this work without it. Each year OSA participates in GiveBIG Washington, a statewide fundraising campaign during which thousands of people show their support for their favorite Washington nonprofits.
Unearthing the Flavors of CANOVI - CIOA Carrot Trials & Breeding Farm Club
In the world of organic agriculture, the question of better carrots isn’t just about yield—it’s about collaboration amongst farmers, breeders and eaters, reaching for flavors, colors, and other unique traits. The recent webinar hosted by Canadian Organic Vegetable Improvement Project (CANOVI) and Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA) provided a fascinating glimpse into the collective efforts to enhance organic carrot varieties across Canada and the USA.
Seeds of Connection: Organic Growers Meet for Discussion in Chimacum, WA
On February 12th, 2024, 2024 Organic Seed Alliance held a meeting with a group of around 14 organic seed growers in the Olympic Peninsula of Washingtonat Finnriver Cidery. During this meeting we had a conversation about OSA programming and the forthcoming Seed Center.
Presentación Manual para la limpieza de semillas
Es para nosotrxs motivo de alegría y orgullo compartir con ustedes el Manual para la Limpieza de Semillas producido por el Organic Seed Alliance. Este recurso está disponible en Español e Inglés, esperamos que le sea de utilidad a quienes producen semillas en este país y más allá! Seed Cleaning Toolkit It is a source of joy and pride for us to share with you the Seed Cleaning Manual produced by the Organic Seed Alliance.
Yarrow: A Plant Profile and Seed Historian Report By Katya Wesely
Greetings to all readers, wishing all of you a beautiful year. Now it is early spring, still the cold of the winter is in the memory of our bodies, and in Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and Minnesota the wildfires remind us that something is changing in the temperature, in the moisture of the air, in the climate. May these and all fires causing anguish cease.
Cultivating Collaboration at the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
To some people that work in agriculture, winter is synonymous with conference season. Agriculture conferences are opportunities to learn the latest in organic farming methods, build community, and shape the future of the organic farming movement. This year, Organic Seed Alliance was well represented in La Crosse, Wisconsin for the 35th Annual Organic Farming Conference hosted by Marbleseed (formerly known as MOSES).
Rooting into Community: Recap from the 2024 California Organic Seed Summit
This February, California seed growers, seed companies, and other members of the seed community gathered in person and online for the California Organic Seed Summit, held in Ukiah, CA. In its eighth year, the summits have been opportunities to forge community, share practices, and nurture the growth of seed systems in the state and beyond. This year’s summit featured a wide range of presentations and discussions based on the interests of the summit attendees.
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