The Great NorthWest Seed-Up FAQ
When it comes to seed packets 75% of the cost is labor. If you buy in Bulk you can get an incredible discount... but who needs that much seed?
A Seed-UP is the solution! At a local Seed-Up event, you can enjoy seeds at a bulk discount that you can then pack yourself! This allows you to get JUMBO portions of seeds.
Participating in the event gets you access to the seeds + your choice of 15 packets of seeds with additional seeds available for purchase. Participants will have access to ORGANIC, REGIONALLY APPROPRIATE, non-GMO seeds at a huge bulk discount!
What will the January 2024 Seed-up entail?
The second half of this FAQ describes the vision of the following year's NW Seed-up, but you are being invited to a more intimate community event this January!
This year we will gather a smaller group to share in a Potluck style event in order to connect with other aspiring Market Gardeners. In addition to separating our seed portions, and connecting we will be discussing the grassroots formation of the Salem Growers Network, an initiative to unite like-minded growers mutually improving our ability to grow, market, and distribute quality locally grown products.
Whether you are New to Gardening or managing a top-notch Market Farm, we invite you to join us for the Food Revolution!
What's a Seed-Up?
When it comes to seed packets 75% of the cost is labor. If you buy in Bulk you can get an incredible discoun8-64t... but who needs that much seed?
A Seed-UP is the solution! At a local Seed-Up event, you can enjoy seeds at a bulk discount that you can then pack yourself! This allows you to get JUMBO portions of seeds.
What types of seeds will be available?
For the January 2024 event, we will be focused on annual veggie crops. These seeds will make up the "Basics" of a productive food garden with a few companion Flowers. You should expect to receive 1-2 Varieties of:
- Slicer/Heirloom Tomato
- Roma Tomato
- Zucchini
- Cucumber
- Table Squash
- Radishes
- Beets
- Snap/Sugar Peas
- Beans
- Kale/Cabbage
- Calendula
- Marigolds/Cosmos
Why is a Seed-Up Important?
Times are changing! In recent years we have experienced the fragility of supply chains, the repercussions of chemicals in our food system, and an ever-changing climate.
A Seed-Up gives a boost to the community "seed-economy" allowing members in a community to build a Living Seed Bank!
What is a Living Seed Bank?
Much like the mission of a Seed Bank, a Living Seed Bank is an opportunity to preserve seeds for Community members & future generations.
Unique to the Living Seed Bank is the ability to adapt the seeds to become better suited to the exact climate & region of the community, improving the quality & yields in just a few seasons.
Ultimately, a Seed-Up is an effort to preserve our Seed Sovereignty.
What is Seed Sovereignty?
Currently, there are large Ag Chemical producers lobbying Congress to make saving your own seeds illegal.
If they succeed, then we will eventually only have access to the foods & seeds they create. The world of GMOs is very unpredictable, and something we do not want in our community's food supply.
Many of the seeds featured at the GNWSU are OSSI (Open Sourced Seed Initiative) varieties. This means there is an Open-source patent on the seeds already in place, giving you legal rights to save, sell, and do what you wish with that variety of seed.
What's happening at a Seed-Up
In addition to getting access to seeds:
- Seminars & talks with local experts that will elevate your garden!
- Connection with growers, helpful organizations, and a growing network of local gardeners.
- Opportunities to take part in special seed-saving projects in Salem.
- Plenty of great food options are available within a 2 block walk from the event!
Where did this idea come from?
All the credit belongs to the Team at Urban Farm U in Phoenix Arizona who started the Great American Seed Up to build a "Living Seed Bank" and then built the Seed-Up in a Box program in response to lockdowns.