WSU offers seed-saving workshop on San Juan Island
Published 4:01 pm Tuesday, November 22, 2011
On Dec. 12 at the Skagit Valley College Friday Harbor Campus on San Juan Island, islanders can learn the basic skills to start saving seed on their farms.
The WSU Small Farms Team and Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) are teaming up to train the next generation of seed growers.
“The San Juan Islands offer unique isolation distance opportunities for seed production,” organizers say. “Seed can be a valuable crop for sale or on-farm use. It also holds important implications for crop conservation and food security, but growing seed successfully requires a basic understanding of seed biology and production techniques.”
OSA’s Director of Research and Education Micaela Colley will combine class lecture with hands-on demonstrations. Class topics will include crop selection, horticultural requirements, harvest techniques, and seed cleaning skills.
The class will run from 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in room C. Thanks to a grant from the USDA, the class is offered for a low cost of $10. Coffee and pastries will be available in the morning, but attendees are advised to bring their own lunch.
To learn more visit: http://www.seedalliance.org/Events/. Pre-registration is preferred, but not required. Tegister with Candace Jagel by phone at 360-370-7664 or email candace_jagel@wsu.edu.
