Weaving Visions of Organic Seed Communities
By Isabelle Lishewski
Despite being someone who professionally works with organic produce, I had not given much thought to seeds until I attended the 12th Organic Seed Growers Conference. It was a weekend of inspiration, education and connection that brought together over a hundred seed community members from around the world. Representing Slow Food Portland, I felt privileged to be among an incredibly motivating and passionate group of people; giving me a renewed sense of hope for the future!
With so much information to absorb and mingling to be had, it was hard to wrap my brain around just how much is happening in the world of seeds. In the span of 48 hours, I was immersed in topics ranging from seed policy to genetic diversity, to traditional seed saving methods, to local urban farms building seed libraries right here in Portland. And that's not all; Vivien Sansour, founder of the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, gave an incredibly moving talk on her connection to seeds, family, and her home of Palestine. I was relieved when I noticed I was not the only one shedding a tear or two during her beautiful storytelling.
One thing was clear throughout the weekend; seeds are much more than just some tiny part of a plant, that we sometimes eat or save. Seeds are vessels for stories, they define cultures, connect us to the land, and give us a sense of place and belonging. By the time the seed swap rolled around Saturday night, I could feel myself with a new sense of purpose and energy. Here were people, mostly strangers, but some already well-connected folks, coming together to share the gift of nourishment and life. The idea that no matter what part of the world someone comes from or their cultural background, seeds should be always free and shared with all.
In a world where four companies own over 60% of the entire world's seed source, seed saving and sharing has never been more important. Preserving heirloom seed varieties means so much more than having access to delicious food, it's a matter of preserving years and years of history. Sure, I was selfishly drawn into the produce world for fresher, tastier food. But through all of my years of experience and now after attending this conference, I’ve realized food goes way beyond just flavor.
The Slow Food Movement and Portland chapter believe in the power of locally grown food, which starts with locally stewarded seeds. We believe when we support local seed growers, we build a stronger local food system. As a member of the Portland Slow Food Board, I look forward to strengthening our already wonderful and robust local food network. I invite you as community members to join us in future events to support organic seed saving and local farms!
*Links included are just a few of the many organizations/projects present during the conference.