Details:
Zachary Paige will lead a three-day immersive training where participants will learn all things seed saving, including: seed sourcing, pollination/isolation, harvest, cleaning, winnowing/threshing, storage, germination testing, and more so participants will learn how to save seeds successfully for their own operation—that is, those seeds best adapted to their particular environment. This engaging hands-on workshop will touch on the history, structure and growth of the modern seed industry, its extreme centralization, and the worldwide grassroots counter-movement that’s creating new opportunities (especially for smaller and mid-sized operations) to learn how to save seeds. Participants will learn everything from basic terminology to innovative new strategies for transitioning their operation with seed-focused and sustainable methods. Advance registration is required. 80/person. Schedule Friday, Oct. 3: 2pm – 7pm Saturday, Oct. 4: 9am – 6pm Sunday, Oct. 5: 8am – 12:30pm Meals: Please bring a water bottle and snacks etc. for between meals. The following meals will be covered: Lodging: During registration, please let us know if you need lodging (recommended for those driving more than 2 hours) and if you are willing to share a room. There are 2 rooms on the farm, as well as the Pelican Motel in Pelican Rapids. If not lodging, and you are driving, let us know your distance that you will be driving each way and if you need mileage assistance (funds limited) . Lodging Options: • Lodging on the Farm in a room (2 rooms available) . These are outbuilding insulated, heated rooms detached from plumbing/amenities. (The main farmhouse is 30 feet from these room and bathroom/shower availability.) • Camping (If this sounds fun, it might be cold but we have woodlands!) • Lodging at the Pelican Motel in Pelican Rapids To bring: Address: 26253 485th St. Vergas, MN 56587 Speakers: Zachary Paige, Olivia Olson, and other speakers TBA Zachary Paige has helped teach over 30 Seed Saving courses and schools over the years, but the reason this Seed School is so special is that we will be integrating seed saving techniques from harvest, to processing, to cleaning, to storage of all major vegetable categories. Saving Biennials, learning about pollination isolation, germination, seed maturity and viability and so much more! This Seed School is supported by funding from the West Central Initiative Foundation.
