Saving seeds in an important part of saving the planet and Byron Hinterland Seed Savers are excited about continuing this important work in our local area and will host a seed swap this Friday.
This event will be held at the Mullum Farmer’s Market on Friday and everyone is invited to come and share the fun of exchanging seeds with people in your community.
Byron Hinterland Seed Savers believe that together, we can build a network of states that are accessible for all, local, homes saved, chemical, free, diverse, and all varieties that are nutrient dense, and are adapted to our bio region.
Choosing the best possible plants
Seed saver Celine Massa says that saving seeds allows us to choose the best possible plants, that are the most adapted to our region and climate, an important aspect in these climate-changing times. ‘Saving seeds that are heirloom, diverse, and rare means that more varieties of seeds will be available in our local region which makes us more resilient in the long term.’
Seed saver Jia Hoelzl says seed saving is one of the most important things we can do in our time. ‘Seed saving is a revolutionary act against the large corporations who have control and ownership over the vast majority of the world’s seeds.
‘Seeds have become a commodity with genetically engineered seeds aggressively marketed at farmers, leaving many in debt and completely dependent upon these corporations who sadly only care for their own financial gain. This is seed slavery. Diversity within plant species is being lost with many varieties already extinct. Seeds have co-evolved alongside humans, passed down from generation to generation.
We are seed guardians
‘If we don’t continue this relationship and act as seed guardians and keepers within our own backyards, seed lineages may be broken and lost forever. Seed saving puts the seeds back in the hands of the people, it means resilience, security and seed freedom.’
Is saving seeds hard? Jia says the biggest thing that is required for seed saving is patience. ‘A seed-to-seed approach allows the plant to live out its full cycle. There are some practical tips that are helpful when you are wanting to save seeds at home and we are working towards having workshops and displays to get this info out to the community.
‘There are also books available to help you on your seed-saving journey. But really, seed saving is simple. You just need the time and patience. Start small.’
Seed wishlist
Byron Hinterland Seed Savers do have a wish list that includes diverse varieties, excellent quality, locally grown, and seeds that are from heirloom varieties of plants. ‘We’re happy to receive fruit, vegetable, herb, flower, and fruit tree seeds that do really well in our region. Bring your seeds or any other propagation materials to share, or just come along and stock up. Everyone is welcome to participate at the Mullumbimby Farmers market on Friday from 7am to 10am.’
The Seed Savers will bring some seed material, however, a lot of their stock is out of date and they are in the process of replenishing the seed bank. If you have some good local seeds that you’d like to donate then please bring them along.
They will also have some copies of the Seed Handbook for sale.
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