A pledge and the associated values for achieving positive global transformation. The page also includes the questions for any individual and/or organization to ask in any situation where the proper application of these values and/or pledge needs clarity.

https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/one-community-pledge/

#GrowYourOwnFood #HomeGardening #SustainableLiving #OrganicFarming #HeirloomSeeds #Carrots #FoodSecurity

Want to grow your own food? Here is a page dedicated to growing carrots. It includes descriptions of a diversity of heirloom varieties, cultural considerations, planting guidelines, where to buy seeds, preparation and preservation resources, and even recipes.

https://www.onecommunityglobal.org/carrots/

#GrowYourOwnFood #HomeGardening #SustainableLiving #OrganicFarming #HeirloomSeeds #Carrots #FoodSecurity

Seed Saving with Garden Organic - read all about it with the link below, ideal for community groups/gardens

https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/what-we-do/hsl/sowing-your-seeds-heritage-crops-for-a-resilient-future

#heritageseeds #heirloomseeds #seedsaving #organicgardening #ukgardening

Awake in the wee, dark hours, after a day of more movement (labor? in a slow, micro-task sort of way) than this creaky, degraded ecosystem of a bod is used to-why??? I should be zonked, hard, straight on till morning. But no.

Of course I hop on the web to search for info.

Found a new seed company! Anyone know of these folx? Heirloom, open-pollinated seeds.

"We're More Than A Seed Store, We're A REVOLUTION!"

https://www.allianceofnativeseedkeepers.com/pages/birth-of-the-alliance

#Indigenous
#HeirloomSeeds
#permaculture
#solarpunk

This event combines two timely topics close to my heart -- #MaineFarms and #Palestine!

Tomato Seed Processing Workshop

Saturday, August 16, 2025
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

#Frith =Farm
61 Ash Swamp Road
#ScarboroughME

"Come to Frith Farm in Scarborough for an afternoon of learning, community building, and #DirectAction, as we lend our hands to harvesting and processing these sacred seeds.

"Chloe Hettinger is a seed grower for the #PalestineHeirloomSeedLibrary's #SeedProtectorProject, a project rooted in #Battir, #Palestine and the United States.

"She will begin the event by speaking about the importance of preserving #heirloom vegetables, fruits, and herbs, and hold a conversation for folks to explore and share their own inherited #foodways.

"The hand-on portion of the event will include harvesting from a seed crop of heirloom tomatoes, processing the seeds from the fruit, and demonstrating the fermentation process that allows tomato seeds to be saved.

"This event is in partnership with the Palestine Heirloom Seed Library, and is supported by the #RealOrganicProject."

RSVP here...
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tomato-seed-processing-workshop-tickets-1489659655129

#MaineEvents #FreePalestine #SeedSaving #HeirloomSeeds #PreservingCulture

I posted the whole article because of the paywall. I listened to #EllenMacDonald at the #APCAW conference on #EmeraldAshBorer earlier this week. She and #JohnDaigle of #UMaine were facilitating the workshop. This article contains a lot of the same information I learned at the workshop! Seed banks + teaming up with the Wabanaki peoples - modern technology meets traditional knowledge!

Native seeds preserved, protected to counter surging invasives

Calling all home gardeners and eco enthusiasts! Lend a hand this spring: Assist Wabanaki tribes and scientists fighting to save ash trees or partner up with statewide neighbors through local seed banks.

March 17, 2025

"The sun radiated overhead as Tyler Everett surveyed the green hills of the Mi’kmaq Nation in Presque Isle.

"Ash trees, mainly brown ash, are cultural keystone species for Wabanaki communities and wetland ecosystems in the Northeast. However, they’re under threat due to the spread of the emerald ash borer.

"This collective of forest caretakers works together to raise awareness of ash trees’ significance and the efforts, such as seed banking, to conserve them. It continues the work the Brown Ash Taskforce set forth 20 years ago after tribal members detected early signs of the invasive pest.

" 'Emerald ash borer was discovered by basket makers who noticed the trees, whose bark they relied on, looked very unhealthy,' Everett said. 'Our work today still centers around our tribal partners who first sounded the alarm.'

"#APCAW resembles a national movement, the #IndigenousSeedKeepersNetwork, cultivating solidarity within the matrix of regional grassroots seed #sovereignty projects — collecting, growing and sharing #HeirloomSeeds to promote cultural diversity.

"Here’s a look at some of the seed lending and preservation happening here in the Maine, from brown ash to Wabanaki flint corn.

" 'It may be no Doomsday Vault (also known as Svalbard Global Seed Vault),' said Emily Baisden, seed center director at #WildSeedProject. "But we’re doing some great work.'

"So, what’s a seed bank? Picture a temperature-controlled vault with billions of period-sized seeds in foil packets.

"Through storage, the goal is to preserve genetic diversity for future use, protect rare species and develop new crop varieties. Not only do seed banks play a role in food security, but also, at their best, they can restore plant communities after natural disasters like droughts or fires and provide valuable insight on how best to combat environmental stress.

"#SeedBanks operate at the community, national or global level — such as the #PetalmaSeedBank in California, which preserves the region’s agricultural diversity, or the #SvalbardGlobalSeedVault, the global backup for all other seed banks.

"In the far reaches of the Nordic island of Spitsbergen, the aforementioned 'Doomsday Vault' provides the world’s genebank, kept safe in case some catastrophe threatens the planet’s crops. If seed banks are a computer’s filing system, where documents are stored, Svalbard is the external hard drive.

"Enter Maine’s Wild Seed Project, an APCAW partner organization. The group hand collects and distributes 3 million seeds representing over 100 species of Northeast native plants yearly.

" 'Long-term seed banking requires #cryopreservation, akin to flash freezing,' Baisden said. 'It allows seeds to last for decades, if not longer. … We try not to store seeds for more than four years at Wild Seed. We dry them, place them in jars and label them by location. The newest are sold, and the older ones are used in our Seeds for Teachers program.'

"Baisden acknowledged the correlation between landscape management and biodiversity. When native plants disappear, likely through urbanization, the insects that depend on and coevolve with them also decline, as do the animals that rely on those insects (like birds).

" 'Most seeds sold in garden centers are propagated through clonal reproduction,' Baisden said. 'This minimizes genetic diversity, and as we know, #biodiversity is crucial for communal stability.'

"For a long time, the horticulture industry pushed to introduce non-native species that lacked natural predators and could quickly reproduce. Later, when forests were clear-cut in the 1900s, trees like the brown ash fell to the wayside, and non-native vegetation crept in.

" 'Maine, so far, is the only state with non-quarantine habitats free from emerald ash borer,' Baisden said. 'Studying these helps us plan ahead and learn. We hope that by working with #BasketMakers, foresters and scientists, we can store or distribute emerald ash borer–resistant seeds.”

Management shaped by Indigenous wisdom

"The spread of emerald ash borer has already caused 99% brown ash tree mortality in parts of Turtle Island, a small island between Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Point.

"As a group committed to science-informed strategies that align with Wabanaki priorities, APCAW has been collecting seeds (viable for up to eight years) from 46 healthy ash trees to store in a refrigerator at the University of Maine in Orono.

"As Everett noted, Indigenous people have long used brown ash as the primary material for #basketry, valuing its soft, splinty texture as ideal for weaving. The brown ash tree is also part of one of the #Abenaki origin stories.

" 'Brown ash was the root from which all #Wabanaki people emerged,' Everett said.

"The species’ decline evokes deep emotion. Recognizing this, Indigenous communities are at the forefront of APCAW outreach and land-management strategies.

"Program registration links are first shared with tribal partners, and they are often invited to co-facilitate or lead the event discussions. Occasionally, exclusive gatherings are held to allow basket weavers to connect in a more intimate setting.

" 'My job is to engage in a dialogue with our tribal partners and address any reactions they have,' Everett said. 'There’s a strong sense of responsibility to save brown ash, but opinions vary. Some hesitate about allowing the seeds to be stored outside the community.'

"Everett is currently drafting a document to serve as a resource for the #HoultonBand of #Maliseet Indians, #Mikmaq, #Passamaquoddy and #PenobscotNations. By spring 2026, he hopes to publish a public report acknowledging the priorities of Maine’s #Wabanaki people.

"#EllaMcDonald, a colleague of Everett, has centered her master’s thesis on the effectiveness of APCAW’s outreach efforts in inspiring action that benefits both the Wabanaki people and their native forests’ ecosystems.

" 'Out west, we’ve already seen devastating mortality rates of brown ash,' McDonald said. 'It’s just a matter of time before our situation escalates.'

"The group is focused on a project that will test the resistance of native trees to the emerald ash borer next fall in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. This involves working with private #landowners, who will be asked to grow ash seeds and monitor their growth over time to assess their survival capacity.

"McDonald encouraged readers to get involved. The UMaine website will soon feature a map with priority areas for seed collection and locations where kits with all the necessary materials can be picked up. Those curious can contact ella.mcdonald@maine.edu or sign up for the newsletter to receive updates on upcoming events.

" 'We are witnessing an unprecedented change,' McDonald said. 'What inspires me is to see groups across sectors working together to prepare. So many people genuinely care about our environment. … Together we can make a difference.'

Get involved

"Wild Seed Project held its first online seed-sowing demonstration in November 2021. Now, it offers a range of in-person programs and community events. Courtesy of Wild Seed Project

"There are a few options to join the movement.

"Locals can donate resources to area seed banks, like the Wild Seed Project, or research projects, like APCAW.

"Or harness the power of the dollar and purchase #NativeSeeds for a #rewilding project or #AbenakiFlintCorn, a product that honors seed keepers of the past and pays royalties to APCAW.

"To get involved through volunteerism, the Wild Seed Project actively seeks #SeedStewards to collect, clean, process and package seeds.

" 'The nonprofit is also building a first-of-its-kind Native Seed Center at Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s Turkey Hill Farm, where plants will grow among natural seed banks, along the woodland edge and throughout the farmstead meadow. To donate, visit wildseedproject.com/the-native-seed-center.

Source [paywall]:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/17/native-seeds-preserved-protected-to-counter-surging-invasives/

#SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge #NativeAmericanBasketry #Sustainability #IndigenousStewardship #CulturalPreservation #InvasiveSpecies #EAB #PreservingNature #Biodiversity #PreservingTheSacred #PreservingTheForest

My beans are sprouting. This is an Appalachian greasy grits pole bean. It's my first time trying this variety, which someone recommended to me a couple of years ago. #Beans #HeirloomSeeds #PoleBeans

Tired of buying seeds every year? Start saving your own! 🌱 It's a powerful act of self-reliance, preserves unique family heirloom varieties, and connects you to generations of growers. Build food security, grow resilient plants, and nurture biodiversity right in your garden. #SeedSaving #Gardening #HeirloomSeeds #SustainableLiving

Start saving your own seeds! 🌱 It's a powerful act of self-reliance, preserves unique family heirloom varieties, & connects you to generations of growers. Build food security, grow resilient plants, & nurture biodiversity right in your garden. #SeedSaving #Gardening #HeirloomSeeds #SustainableLiving

Unfortunately, they are no longer able to ship to Canada.

Distributing FREE #HeirloomSeeds to the public.

"Encouraging #Sustainability, #SelfReliance & #SpeciesPreservation"

Your donations & support make this possible!

"We should be able to ship to the following countries without restriction
we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information as your country can change it's rules anytime.

"Please be sure to verify & comply with the importation rules of your country before requesting

Bahamas
Bermuda
Iceland
Norway

"Other countries will likely require at least a phytosanitary certificate to import seeds. Envelopes will be marked as having seeds in them & will likely be rejected at the border if your country is not on this list."

https://freeheirloomseeds.org/

#FreeSeeds #FreeHeirloomSeeds #SolarPunkSunday #SeedySunday #GardeningForPollinators #Gardening

#Tennessee: #NashvillePublicLibrary #SeedExchange

"The Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach, and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church, or community garden. The best part about our Seed Exchange: it’s free! All you need is a library card."

Borrow Seeds

"Use your library card to borrow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at Main Library and select branches. Find a Seed Exchange location near you. Borrowing seeds is free. All you need is a Nashville Public Library card."

Grow Plants

"NPL’s Seed Exchange offers access to local librarians who will support, coach and cheer you on as you grow your own home, school, church or community garden. We’re also working with local farmers, gardeners and community agencies to offer free gardening workshops throughout the year."

Return Seeds

"Once the season is over, harvest seeds from your garden and return them to the library. We ask that you follow certain protocol when harvesting seeds to share with the Seed Exchange. We want people who take seed to get what was on the label and we want to protect from passing on disease.

"Additionally, we are always looking for #OpenPollinated, #HeirloomSeeds from anyone in the community who is willing to share, a little or a lot.

"Our Seed Protocol [linked below] includes guidelines for properly saving and preparing seeds to share."

https://library.nashville.org/events/seed-exchange

Seed protocol:
https://library.nashville.org/about/policies/seed-protocol
#SolarPunkSunday #LibrariesRule #SeedLibrary #SeedSharing #BuildingCommunity #Gardening

HT @ironcladlou

"Someone just gave me a heads-up about this site… Free heirloom seeds for starting your garden? 🧐

https://freeheirloomseeds.org/

This seems like a really cool organization"

#SolarPunkSunday #SeedySunday #HeirloomSeeds #Gardening

This Russian heirloom dryland rice is well adapted to a short season, cool climate and would probably die if grown in a paddy. Its happy to be grown in the garden and kept moist. Short grained it will make a good sticky rice, that's if I can harvest it all before the mice do. They've already taken a huge swack.

#duborskianrice #drylandrice #ricegrowing #growingrice #rice #coolclimategrowing #homesteading #prepping #growinggrains #heirloomseeds #heirloomrice

#Maine - Making the most of March with #ThompsonFreeLibrary

By Kim Brawn, Thompson Free Library, February 24, 2025

"March arrives with a built-in tension. The upbeat concept we hold in our minds versus an uncertain reality. Our hope is tinged with a steely resolve to muddle through. 'Winter is holding back and spring is pulling forward. Something holds and something pulls inside of us too,' wrote garden author Jean Hersey. Whether you’re ready to research a spring project or desperately need some escapist fare, the Thompson Free Library in #DoverFoxcroft is here to help you make it through — and even enjoy — this unpredictable month.

"Nothing heralds the coming of spring like our #SeedLibrary! We offer donated seeds from our community and various other donors. If you have extra seeds from previous years that you don’t need, please bring them in to share with your neighbors. If you’re interested in trying a new type of plant or flower in your garden this year, stop in and check out what we have to offer. Over the years we’ve had donations from Burpee, Fedco, Ripley Farms, Helios Horsepower Farms, Bob’s Hardware, and many, many patrons."

Source:
https://observer-me.com/2025/02/24/news/making-the-most-of-march-with-thompson-free-library/

Library website:
https://www.thompsonfreelibrary.org/
#SolarPunkSunday #SeedBanks #SeedLibrary #DoverFoxcroftMaine #SolarPunkSunday #BuildingCommunity #LibrariesRule! #SeedSharing #SeedExchange #Gardening #CommunityAgriculture #SeedSharing #HeirloomSeeds #MaineLibraries

Falastin #Phytoremediators https://justseeds.org/falastins-phytoremediators/

Palestine Heirloom
https://viviensansour.com/Palestine-Heirloom

Mycoremediation of Soil Impacted by War-like Activities:
https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/jof/jof-10-00094/article_deploy/jof-10-00094.pdf?version=1706091196

#Bioremediation #Phytoremediators #Mycoremediators
#Heirloomseeds
#agroecology #Palestine #seedLibarary

Happy Beltane! Spring on the Homestead
Happy May Day! It's the first of spring and spring has really sprung here on the homestead. Previously I posted about my kitty litter container garden, and I wanted to provide an update. Using square foot gardening plans, I planted most of the containers with heirloom varieties of bush beans. These
https://kitauthor.com/happy-beltane-spring-on-the-homestead/
#HomesteadLife #BushBeans #gardening #HeirloomSeeds #homestead #spring #SquareFootGardening

[edit: It’s been brought to my attention that this seed company may have racist, white supremacist, leanings. Despite the inclusive appearance in the catalog, I may want to shop elsewhere. Search on “baker creek seeds controversy” for more information. ]

Got this awesome catalog for Xmas! Amazing heirloom seeds! Will definitely be ordering some soon.

#gardening #heirloomseeds #nongmo

https://www.rareseeds.com/

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/18/heirloom-seeds-genetics-sustainable-agriculture

"It’s human nature to remember the past and strive for the future, to want our children to be better than us. The same should be true of #seeds "

#seedsaving #heirloomseeds #environment #foodsystem

What Are Heirloom Seeds and Why Grow Them.
https://environment.co/what-are-heirloom-seeds/

#Gardening #Farming #Horticulture #Homesteading #UrbanHomesteading #HeirloomSeeds

Around the world there are thousands of unique foods and flavours - varieties of fruits, grains, vegetables and animal breeds. And products of a specific place, from a type of bread, to a style of cheese.
Many are endangered and disappearing. We need to help save them.
Food diversity can help increase resilience around the world, and protect against future threats including climate change.

Food Diversity is essential for our health and for the health of the planet.
Food Diversity is part of our identity. It is part of our culture.
Food Diversity represents our past and our future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFj8yCBR_mM

#seedfreedom #fooddiversity #heirloomseeds #nogmo #agroforestry