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What Is A Seed Exchange?
Seed and plant exchange (or seed swap) is a community-driven effort to save heirloom plants through the voluntary sharing of homegrown seeds.
There is no one else who will safeguard the legacy of our ancestors – the future of their cherished plants rests solely in our hands.
Kas ir sēklu maiņa
Goals Of Seed Exchange
01
Raise awareness about seed saving.
02
Build a network of seed savers and the opportunity to track the spread of seeds.
03
Educate about natural processes, seed harvesting, and foster a sense of responsibility among seed savers.
04
Preserve original seed material in various locations in Latvia and around the world – if one seed collection is lost, others will still exist.
Principles Of Seed Exchange
01
Assess your experience as a seed saver and choose appropriate seeds. It is better to nurture one plant well than to struggle with ten.
02
The seed saver is responsible for the quality of each seed. Collect seeds ONLY from healthy and vigorous plants. Share seeds only from plants that have been growing in your garden for at least two years, and from which you have harvested seeds for at least two seasons.
03
To avoid propagating 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 history of the plant.
04
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 will be able to successfully grow the plant and harvest seeds.
Ambassadors Of Heirloom Plants
01
Are seed savers themselves (cultivate and propagate plants).
02
Educate others about the importance of preserving heirloom crops.
03
Organize events in their communities, such as harvest festivals, open garden days, experience and seed exchange events.
Maiņas punktu karte
Map of Plant and Seed Exchange Locations
Click on the marker to contact the Heirloom Plant ambassador or coordinator closest to you.
If you would like to "spread the word" about this movement and become an ambassador of Heirloom Plants, write to: sandra.stabinge@me.com!
Resources To Use In Seed Exchanges
01
Label for cherished plants
04
Brochure on seed exchange
07
Design for seed exchange spot
02
Label for heirloom plants
05
Pollination table
08
"Canva" poster templates
03
Registration Sheet
06
Plant category drawings
09
Garden item exchange template
Materiāli maiņas punktiem
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