Building Digital Education of Heirloom Crops
for the Resilience of African Food Systems in the Climate Crisis
Lecture 9
Seed Saving Network and Seed Exchange
Seed savers – people's "scientific institute"
Preserving diverse local varieties of heirloom crops is crucial. It helps ensure food security and adaptability to changing climates. The movement of seed savers promotes biodiversity and the preservation of our cultural heritage while strengthening our food independence, reducing reliance on large-scale producers, and allowing us to cultivate high-quality, local products. It is an opportunity to return to natural farming methods and build a more sustainable food system.
Seed savers form communities in their villages and collaborate across regions, sharing knowledge about seeds and gardening. It is a chance to revive old traditions and foster a closer connection with nature. This movement advocates for healthier lifestyles by promoting a deeper understanding of our food system, from farm to table.
How does it work?
An impulsive or inexperienced gardener might wander around their garden with a packet of seeds in spring, wondering where to scatter them. Such a gardener would go to a spring plant market or seed exchange and buy many interesting, beautiful plants because everything seems so appealing!
I have done this myself. I have planted everything everywhere and wondered why the results were not what I hoped for. Especially if you want to collect quality seeds from plants, spontaneous planting leads to cross-pollination or even the loss of a valuable plant.
Experienced gardeners do things differently. They plan what and where to plant, how to prepare the soil, and what goals they want to achieve. Maybe they want to provide their family with healthy vegetables all year round, grow seedlings for sale, or create a beautiful, flowering garden. Regardless of the goal, they have a clear plan and implement it. Gardening is not just spontaneous creativity. It is also knowledge and planning.
Suppose a gardener's goal is to collect seeds from valuable heirloom plants. In that case, planning is even more necessary to ensure that the genetic material of the seeds matches the propagation goals. Additionally, the most important condition for seed saving is that each valuable plant needs to be grown in at least three different locations so that in case of failure or disease in one area, the plants are preserved, and seeds are obtained from the others.
This is the most important motivation for seed savers to collaborate. Without cooperation, seed savers cannot accomplish their significant work, however by building a Seed Savers Movement – organizing seed exchanges, providing training, sharing experiences, spreading the most valuable plants, and working together with at least two other gardeners, – seed savers become the keepers of traditional knowledge and heirloom plants and fulfill the role of people's "scientific institute" in creating new breeds and improving or keeping alive the old ones.
Let's repeat definitions!
Heirloom plant seed saving is the process of saving and propagating the seeds of old, traditional plant varieties. These varieties have adapted to local conditions over generations and are characterized by resistance to diseases and pests, as well as unique flavors and aromas.
Seed savers are people who consciously engage in this process, promoting biodiversity, food security, and the preservation of cultural heritage. They collect seeds from healthy plants, store them under the right conditions, and exchange them with other seed savers to promote diversity and preserve heirloom crops for future generations.
Seed saver ambassadors are experienced seed savers themselves (cultivating and propagating plants). They educate others about the importance of preserving heirloom crops and organize events in their communities, such as harvest festivals, open garden days, experience and seed exchange events.
The importance and operating principles of the Seed Savers Movement
The Seed Savers Movement is formed by local communities where people with similar interests come together to preserve old, local plant varieties, promote biodiversity, and ensure food security.
Benefits of participating in a Seed Savers Movement
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Self-sufficiency: The ability to grow your own seeds and provide your family with healthy food.
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Deepening knowledge: Continuous learning about plants, cultivation, and natural processes.
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Experience sharing: The opportunity to learn from other gardeners and share your own experiences.
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Support: A community where you can get answers to your questions and advice.
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Clear value system: Shared values related to nature conservation and sustainable living.
Operating principles of the Seed Savers Movement
The work of seed savers is closely linked to the seasonal rhythm and the cyclical nature of agricultural work.
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March-May: The busiest time for sowing and gardening.
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Summer: Active work in the garden, observations, and record keeping.
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Autumn: Harvesting, cleaning, and preparing seeds for storage, sharing surpluses.
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Winter: Time for analysis, conclusions, and planning.
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January, February: Seed saver training to prepare for the next season.
Seed savers from across the region meet up during the winter months for training sessions and seed exchanges. Throughout the year, they actively engage in local communities, organizing regional seed saver groups led by a dedicated seed saver ambassador.
Why is belonging to a seed saver group so valuable?
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By joining a seed saver group, individuals can avoid common pitfalls. Members share experiences, offer practical advice, and help prevent mistakes, ultimately saving time, resources, and ensuring better outcomes.
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Within seed saver groups, gardeners can specialize, each focusing on a particular plant variety (beans, onions, tomatoes etc.). This ensures a diverse range of seeds is preserved that can be shared in seed exchanges.
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A key principle is to safeguard valuable plants by distributing them to at least three different locations. This ensures that even if one location faces unfavorable conditions, the seeds will be preserved.
The role of regional seed saver groups: achieving better harvests and deepening knowledge
Regional seed saver groups are like small industrious bee hives, pollinating the garden of horticultural knowledge. These communities foster regular interactions, enabling members to share experiences, learn from one another, and collectively work towards a brighter future for our gardens. Seed saver ambassadors play a vital role in organizing and connecting groups across different regions.
How often do seed saver groups meet?
The frequency of meetings is determined by the members' preferences and availability. Some groups meet monthly, while others can gather biweekly or even weekly. Harvest festivals are particularly significant occasions for evaluating collective efforts and sharing new crops.
At the center of each meeting is:
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An informative lecture or experience story: An experienced gardener shares their knowledge about a particular plant, growing methods, or other related topics.
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Members' experience stories: Each member is invited to share their experiences, successes, and failures. This is a precious source of information, as each garden is unique and offers new lessons.
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Homemade treats: A shared meal featuring homegrown produce strengthens the sense of community and lets you get to know other group members better.
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Cultural program: Songs, dances, and poetry make the meeting more enjoyable and memorable.
Why is it so important to share experiences?
Sharing experiences sparks a chain reaction that spreads and refines knowledge. Comparing notes on growing the same plant can help us discover the most effective ways to cultivate it. This collaborative approach gives far more valuable insights than the isolated experiments of individual gardeners.
Seed exchange events – the most important event of the year
Seed exchange events are celebrations of cooperation and shared achievements. At these events, gardeners exchange homegrown seeds, share experiences, and plan for the next season. Seed exchange events are a great way to promote the preservation and distribution of local varieties.
Seed and plant exchange (or seed swap) is a community-driven effort to save heirloom plants by voluntarily sharing homegrown seeds. No one else will safeguard the legacy of our ancestors – the future of their cherished plants rests solely in our hands.
Goals of seed exchange
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Raise awareness about seed saving.
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Build a network of seed savers and the opportunity to track the spread of seeds.
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Educate about natural processes and seed harvesting, and foster a sense of responsibility among seed savers.
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Preserve original seed material in various locations in Latvia and worldwide – if one seed collection is lost, others will still exist.
Principles of seed exchange
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Assess your experience as a seed saver and choose appropriate seeds. It is better to nurture one plant well than to struggle with ten.
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The seed saver is responsible for the quality of each seed. Collect seeds ONLY from healthy and vigorous plants. Share seeds only from plants growing in your garden for at least two years, from which you have harvested seeds for at least two seasons.
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To avoid spreading anonymous plants, always write down and keep information about each seed. This includes the seed saver's name, the plant's unique characteristics, the year the seeds were harvested, the "journey" of the seed, and the history of the plant.
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To ensure the survival of every heirloom crop, share the seeds with at least three seed savers. This way, even in the worst of circumstances, at least one seed saver can successfully grow the plant and harvest seeds.
Recap
Seed saving and seed exchange is a collaborative process rooted in planning, community support, and knowledge sharing. It starts with experienced gardeners carefully selecting seeds from their healthiest plants, drying and storing them properly. These seeds are then shared with other gardeners through organized seed saver groups and exchange events. This cooperation ensures the preservation of heirloom varieties and promotes biodiversity.
Seed saving requires careful planning to prevent cross-pollination and maintain seed quality, often growing valuable plants in multiple locations to safeguard against potential crop failure. By sharing seeds and experiences within a supportive network, seed savers create a community-driven people's "scientific institute," working together to preserve agricultural heritage and improve plant varieties.
Seed exchanges are key events where gardeners share seeds and knowledge, furthering the survival and spread of heirloom plants. This system is essential for maintaining local biodiversity, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainable, self-sufficient farming methods. The process depends on collaboration, where each gardener contributes by specializing in growing specific crops and preserving them across various regions. This thoughtful approach protects the future of plants, seeds, and communities.
The content of this page was created as part of the project 'Building Digital Education of Indigenous Inherited Crops for the Resilience of African Food Systems in the Climate Crisis Development.' The project was funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2024 from the development cooperation budget. This content reflects only the views of the project partners.
