Save Our Seeds event

We are organising an event with the Soil Association on the subject of seeds.
The event is to be held at Embercombe, Devon on the 11th and 12th October and will not only cover the history of seed saving and the seed industry, as well as the current directives and proposed legislations, but also practical workshops on seed saving and breeding. There will also be talks about what is currently happening in the UK with seed trials and also the launch of the South West Seed Savers’ Cooperative.

On the evening of the 11th there will be a film and ceilidh as well a food. Camping is available as well as some space in yurts.

Booking is essential, and tickets can be purchased here.
There are a whole host of other events involving seeds around London on the 11-12th October as part of The Great Seed Festival.

Here is the preliminary programme (details may change, check link at ‘Webpage with more details’))

Saturday 11th October

Arrive from 1:30pm

3pm – Welcome and introduction

3:15pm: Seeds – a brief history with Peter Brinch from Open Pollinated Seeds

Why Open Pollinated seeds are important and enchanting

3:40pm:  A commercial case-studywith Kate from The Real Seed Catalogue

The practicalities and realities of running a small seed company specialising in high quality OP seeds

4:00pm: Questions and Answers Session with Peter and Kate

4:30 – 4:50pm: Refreshment Break

4:50pm: The latest from the Open Pollinated Seed field lab and update on EU seed legislation with Ben Raskin from The Soil association

5:10pm:  South West Seed Savers’ Cooperative with Dan and Ash from The Landworkers’ Alliance

A presentation followed by a discussion.  What are our needs as growers regarding seeds?  What are our responsibilities as growers regarding seeds? As growers, what can we do to improve the state of things?

6:20pm – Summing up the day.

7.00- Dinner

8:30pm – Open event – Film – “Seeds of Freedom” introduced by Peter Brinch followed by a Ceilidh

Sunday 12 October

9am: Practical seed saving workshop with Kate from The Real Seed Catalogue

This will cover  selection, pollination, maintaining genetic diversity, harvesting, winnowing, drying, storing, quantities needed, trialling and recording.

11:00: Refreshment Break

11.20: Tour of Embercombe land and gardenswith Jo Clarke, head of land and education at Embercombe

12.30: Final plenary.Actions for moving forward?

13.00: Lunch

Booking is essential, and tickets can be purchased here.

Webpage with more details: http://landworkersalliance.org.uk/2014/09/save-our-seeds-event/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/353944638093553/
More info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/seed-gathering-tickets-12702233723