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A long-standing tradition of the Bioneers conference in Marin, the seed exchange has grown in popularity due to increased interest in organic gardening and heirloom varietals; the desire of consumers who, due to increases in the cost of living or to cut down on expenditures, wish to grow their own food; as a way of preserving an area's cultural heritage; and the growing interest in promoting biodiversity. We are proud to collaborate this year with Elizabeth Johnson and bring a seed exchange to the Central Coast Bioneers.

Life is built on the foundation of biodiversity. Open-pollinated seeds adapt to local conditions, developing robust resilience. Help conserve biodiversity and engage in the tradition and celebration of joyful seed democracy by exchanging open-pollinated seeds.

Swapping seeds is also of great cultural significance because it allows a culture which has become widely distributed to continue to grow the foods they are accustomed to, foods which often have great significance, and for which seeds are often transported over great distances. Mike Szuberla, organizer of a seed swap in Toledo, Ohio, noted, "Seeds are, in a sense, suitcases in which people can transport their cultures with them...Many families have brought their favorite seeds on tremendous journeys."

Many of us have heard stories of European ancestors sewing favorite seeds into the hems of garments when crossing the Atlantic. African ancestors, under unspeakable duress, somehow were able to carry some seed stocks with them. Japanese Americans, interred at Manzanar in the Inyo Valley of Eastern California during World War II, made certain that they brought seeds to start gardens behind the chainlink fences they were forced to live within. At Manzanar the resulting gardens were spectacular and became the pride of the camp. And perhaps the master seed stewards of all, Native Americans, masterfully co-evolved with and adapted corn, beans, squash, tomatoes and many other plants. All of these ancestors knew their seeds well, and protected their source of sustenance.

Some seed swaps explicitly have a biological goal--usually either educating the public in organic gardening or the attempt to maintain crop diversity. The larger global relevance and beneficial long-range effects of ecological farming sustained by seed exchanges or swaps, and the effects of such practices in countering the effects of agrichemical monoculture, are also important.

Presenter Bio:
Elizabeth Johnson is a 20 year organic gardener following in the footsteps of her mother, father, sister, brother and grandfather. In 2004, she helped coordinate the effort to pass Measure Q, a ballot measure to ban genetically engineered crops in SLO county. In 2007, she was the main organizer for a countywide Seed Exchange, a free educational event held annually in October. Since 2007, the awareness, shared knowledge, and skill building of local seed savers, weeders, and seed exchangers has increased dramatically and enhanced community networking around seed issues. Elizabeth remains the lead organizer for these events and, on behalf of the Seed Exchangers, is honored to set up our tables at the Central Coast Bioneers on October 15, 2011.

Location: SLO Vet's Hall

Time: Saturday, Oct. 15 4:00pm - 7:00pm

Cost: Free

Download the Flyer (PDF)