Seed to Seed Closing the Gap in Sustainable

Seed to Seed Closing the Gap in Sustainable Farming Ben Cohen Small House Farm

Sustainable Agriculture “The production of food, fiber, or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal welfare” -USDA

§ Crop Rotation and Plant Diversity § Planting Cover Crops § Reducing or Eliminating Tillage § Integrated Pest Management § Whole System Management

Sustainable; adjective • able to be maintained at a certain rate or level • conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources -Webster’s Dictionary

Challenges versus Benefits

§ 1. 5 acre – 5 acre farms § 350 – 1000 people fed per season § CSA, Farmers Markets, Farm Stand

“Challenges” § Growing Hybrids § Time Constraints § Labor Requirements § Production Priorities

Growing Hybrids

Time and Labor

§ Beans - 2500 -3000 plants • 1 -2 lbs of seed, 15 ft row, 2. 5% § Tomatoes - 100 -600 plants • 50 -300 seed/fruit or 12 tomatoes § Peppers – 100 -350 plants • 50 -250 seed/fruit or 7 peppers § Melons - 20 -200 plants • 100 -300 seed/fruit or 2 melons

Production Priorities

Benefits § Local Adaptation § Marketability § Truly Sustainable Farming

Seeds from… § Maine § Oregon § Missouri § Arizona § New York § California § Vermont § Washington § Kentucky § Texas

Local Adaptation § Climate/Weather Changes § Pest/Weed Pressure § Preference Selection

Marketability

Marketability § Local Food from Local Seed § Higher Prices § Unique and Diverse Selection § Educational Opportunities § Volunteer Labor

§ Baby Steps • 1 or 2 varieties • Self pollinating annuals or isolated outcrossers § Seed Cooperative • Stronger together § Truly Local Seed Companies

Local Seed Sources § Nature and Nurture Seeds § Ann Arbor Seed Co. § Great Lakes Staple Seeds § Sherck Seeds

Sustainable Farming

Thank You!