Seabrooke and I followed up Mudpuppy Night on Friday with Seedy Saturday in Ottawa. The nasty weather that had been forecast did indeed arrive and there was cold, steady rain all day. Fortunately, Seedy Saturday is an indoor event! Seedy events are associated with Seeds of Diversity, a Canadian volunteer organization that conserves the biodiversity and traditional knowledge of food crops and garden plants. Seedy events include a swap table, vendors selling heritage and organic seeds and information displays.
Here’s Seabrooke, checking out the swap table. She saved quite a number of seeds last year and came prepared with lots of packages to add to the seed exchange. There was quite a crowd. In the main room where vendors were set up, it was difficult to get close to the seed displays. As one man I jostled shoulders with noted “Who knew looking at seeds was a contact sport?” It was nice to see so many interested people in attendance.
I purchased a few varieties of tomatoes to try this year: Green Zebra, Black Sea Man, Jaune Flammé, and Persimmon.
We signed the petition in support of a moratorium on GM Alfalfa. The petition was organised by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network, a collaborative campaigning for food sovereignty and environmental justice. Alfalfa is used as pasture and high-protein feed for dairy cows, beef cattle, lambs and pigs and is also used to build up nutrients in the soil, making it important for many types of organic farming. Because alfalfa is a bee-pollinated perennial, GM contamination of organic crops is inevitable. The main purpose of GM Alfalfa seems to be to allow Monsanto to extend its grip on agriculture and farmers (GM Alfalfa is “Round Up-ready”).
Pictured below is a display by USC Canada. Their goal is to support programs, training, and policies in Africa, Asia and Latin America that strengthen biodiversity, food sovereignty, and the rights of those at the heart of resilient food systems – women, indigenous peoples, and small-scale farmers.
Check for a Seedy event in a community near you at the Seeds of Diversity website. It’s great to anticipate the new growing season with other gardeners.
Monsanto seems to want to have a stranglehold on seed production. I think I remember hearing that, if your fields become contaminated with their product, you have to pay them a fee for “seeding” with it.
But, the seed exchange is a wonderful idea. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what your tomatoes turn out to look like.
It looks interesting. We thought about going to the one in Fredericton, but it’s the same day as we’re celebrating Aunt Theodora’s 95th birthday. Maybe next year.
Sheri — you are fortunate to have the organization Seeds of Diversity in Canada. I believe your country is a bit ahead of us on several fronts regarding seeds. Of course the possible contamination of alfalfa would be devastating. This was a great post! — barbara
Louise, you are maybe remembering the case of the Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser and his canola crop. I find it pretty disturbing to have so much power over seeds and thus what we eat in the hands of big corporations.
I’m looking forward to seeing the tomatoes too!
LB, it’s too bad you have a conflict with Aunt Theodora’s birthday. You surely couldn’t miss an event like that! Congratulations, Aunt Theodora!
Barbara, the U.S. has the Seed Saver’s Exchange, though I don’t know if they hold similar events. Monsanto’s GM Alfalfa was approved for commercial sale in the U.S. in 2005. Alfalfa is the first genetically modified perennial crop to be commercialized. I don’t know how bees with pollen can be prevented from crossing the border!
Our seed exchange is this Sunday. I’m excited!
Have you seen this? Someone stood up to Monsanto! This judge is my hero.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/12/01/us-monsanto-sugarbeets-ruling-idUSTRE6B00Y520101201
Hey, that’s cool! I hadn’t seen that. Thanks for the link. Hope you have a good outing on Sunday.