Seed swap: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
m →top: Removed/fixed author parameter(s) to remove article from Category:CS1 errors: generic name, performed general fixes |
|||
| (25 intermediate revisions by 19 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|Event where gardeners meet to exchange seeds}} |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} |
||
[[File:Seed swap.jpg|thumb|A seed swap in [[Urbana, Illinois]]]] |
[[File:Seed swap.jpg|thumb|A seed swap in [[Urbana, Illinois]]]] |
||
| Line 6: | Line 7: | ||
| authorlink = |
| authorlink = |
||
| title = Seed Distribution Programme |
| title = Seed Distribution Programme |
||
| |
| website = |
||
| publisher = Cottage Garden Society |
| publisher = Cottage Garden Society |
||
| date = July 2008 |
| date = July 2008 |
||
| Line 12: | Line 13: | ||
| format = |
| format = |
||
| doi = |
| doi = |
||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> especially when participants are spread out geographically. Swap meet events, where growers meet and exchange their excess seeds in person, are also growing in popularity. In part this is due to increased interest in [[organic gardening]] and heritage or [[heirloom plant]] varietals. This reflects gardeners' interest in "unusual or particular varieties of flowers and vegetables |
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> especially when participants are spread out geographically. Swap meet events, where growers meet and exchange their excess seeds in person, are also growing in popularity. In part this is due to increased interest in [[organic gardening]] and heritage or [[heirloom plant]] varietals. This reflects gardeners' interest in "unusual or particular varieties of flowers and vegetables", according to Kathy Jentz of ''Washington Gardener Magazine'' (Maryland).<ref>{{cite news |
||
| last = Dutton |
| last = Dutton |
||
| first = Melissa Kossler |
| first = Melissa Kossler |
||
| Line 23: | Line 24: | ||
| date = 2009-05-29 |
| date = 2009-05-29 |
||
| url = |
| url = |
||
}}</ref> |
|||
Seed swaps also help consumers who, due to increases in the cost of living or cut down on expenditures, wish to grow their own food.<ref>{{cite news |
Seed swaps also help consumers who, due to increases in the cost of living or cut down on expenditures, wish to grow their own food.<ref>{{cite news |
||
| Line 45: | Line 46: | ||
| location = |
| location = |
||
| page = 73 |
| page = 73 |
||
| url = |
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xftPN05NdwkC |
||
| doi = |
| doi = |
||
| id = |
| id = |
||
| Line 60: | Line 61: | ||
| url = http://www.wataugademocrat.com/2007/0219web/organicfarm.php |
| url = http://www.wataugademocrat.com/2007/0219web/organicfarm.php |
||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref><ref name="bristol">{{cite news |
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref><ref name="bristol">{{cite news |
||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| title = First seed-swap event for gardeners |
| title = First seed-swap event for gardeners |
||
| work = [[Bristol Evening Post]] |
| work = [[Bristol Evening Post]] |
||
| Line 92: | Line 91: | ||
| date = 2008-04-28 |
| date = 2008-04-28 |
||
| url = http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/042908/news_2008042900133.shtml |
| url = http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/042908/news_2008042900133.shtml |
||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> In the [[United States]], the last Saturday of January is "National Seed Swap Day |
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> In the [[United States]], the last Saturday of January is "National Seed Swap Day".<ref>{{cite news |
||
| last = Rufus |
| last = Rufus |
||
| first = Anneli |
| first = Anneli |
||
| Line 104: | Line 103: | ||
| date = April 2008 |
| date = April 2008 |
||
| url = http://www.mnn.com/food/farms-gardens/stories/seed-swapping |
| url = http://www.mnn.com/food/farms-gardens/stories/seed-swapping |
||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Seed Exchange Event |work=2007 |publisher=Rochester Civic Garden Center |url=http://www.rcgc.org/seedswap.htm |accessdate=2009-05-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508042618/http://rcgc.org/seedswap.htm |archivedate=8 May 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Seed Exchange Event |
|||
| work = 2007 |
|||
| publisher = Rochester Civic Garden Center |
|||
| url = http://www.rcgc.org/seedswap.htm |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
|||
| last = The Editors of Chase's |
| last = The Editors of Chase's |
||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
| authorlink = |
||
| title = Chase's ... calendar of events |
| title = Chase's ... calendar of events |
||
| Line 122: | Line 111: | ||
| location = |
| location = |
||
| page = 107 |
| page = 107 |
||
| url = |
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=oS4feMViTqwC |
||
| doi = |
| doi = |
||
| id = |
| id = |
||
| Line 128: | Line 117: | ||
==Cultural and culinary significance== |
==Cultural and culinary significance== |
||
Swapping seeds is of great cultural significance for many of the people involved, because it allows a culture which has become widely distributed, such as [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]] in the United States, to continue to grow the food 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."<ref name="toledo">{{cite news |
Swapping seeds is of great cultural significance for many of the people involved, because it allows a culture which has become widely distributed, such as [[Hispanic and Latino Americans]] in the United States, to continue to grow the food 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."<ref name="toledo">{{cite news |last=Lane |first=Tahree |title=Good to grow: Annual seed swap is a kind of cultural exchange program |work=[[The Blade (Toledo)|The Blade]] |date=24 February 2006 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13340141_ITM |access-date=29 May 2009}}</ref> |
||
| last = Lane |
|||
| first = Tahree |
|||
| title = Good to grow: Annual seed swap is a kind of cultural exchange program |
|||
| work = [[The Blade (newspaper)|The Blade]] |
|||
| place = |
|||
| pages = |
|||
| language = |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2006-02-24 |
|||
| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-13340141_ITM |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> |
|||
In some cases seed swaps are annual events and function as community celebrations (comparable to [[potluck]]s),<ref>{{cite book |last1=Flores |first1=H.C. |last2=Holmstrom |first2=Jackie |last3=Hemenway |first3=Toby |title=Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard Into a Garden and Your Neighborhood Into a Community |publisher=Chelsea Green |date=2006 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M_DtwznYASwC |isbn=978-1-933392-07-3}}</ref>{{rp|158}} such as the annual seed swap (in its eleventh year in 2008)<ref name="southern"/> on the Oglethorpe farm near [[Athens, Georgia]], organized by two [[anthropology]] professors from the [[University of Georgia]] (the university has a [[seedbank]], the "Southern Seed Legacy").<ref name="southern"/> Participants share seeds of heirloom fruits and vegetables grown in their families or communities for generations; for some, the goal of such swaps is to preserve a "dying" heritage.<ref name="oglethorpe">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line--> |title=Seed swap continues tradition on Oglethorpe farm |work=[[Athens Banner-Herald]] |date=2002-05-06 |url=http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/050602/hga_20020506001.shtml |access-date=2009-05-29}}</ref> A similar goal is stated for a seed swap in [[Devon]], England, where the North Devon Seed Swap has been held since 1 February 2004.<ref name="permaculture">{{cite web|title=North Devon Seed Swap 1st February 2004 |publisher=Permaculture Association (Britain) |url=http://www.permaculture.org.uk/mm.asp?nolinks=y&mmfile=news_seedswap |access-date=2009-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925164408/http://www.permaculture.org.uk/mm.asp?nolinks=y&mmfile=news_seedswap |archive-date=25 September 2006}}</ref><ref name="north devon">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line--> |title=Seed swap aims to keep diversity of vegetables |work=[[Western Daily Press]] |date=16 February 2007 |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29662952_ITM |access-date=29 May 2009}}</ref> |
|||
In some cases seed swaps are annual events and function as community celebrations (they have been compared to [[potluck]]s<ref>{{cite book |
|||
| last = Flores |
|||
| first = H.C. |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
|author2=Jackie Holmstrom |author3=Toby Hemenway |
|||
| title = Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard Into a Garden and Your Neighborhood Into a Community |
|||
| publisher = Chelsea Green |
|||
| date = 2006 |
|||
| location = |
|||
| page = 158 |
|||
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=M_DtwznYASwC&client=firefox-a |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| id = |
|||
| isbn = 978-1-933392-07-3}}</ref>), such as the annual seed swap (in its eleventh year in 2008<ref name="southern"/>) on the Oglethorpe farm near [[Athens, Georgia]], organized by two [[anthropology]] professors from the [[University of Georgia]] (the university has a [[seedbank]], the "Southern Seed Legacy"<ref name="southern"/>). Participants share seeds of heirloom fruits and vegetables grown in their families or communities for generations; for some, the goal of such swaps is to preserve a "dying" heritage.<ref name="oglethorpe">{{cite news |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| title = Seed swap continues tradition on Oglethorpe farm |
|||
| work = [[Athens Banner-Herald]] |
|||
| place = |
|||
| pages = |
|||
| language = |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2002-05-06 |
|||
| url = http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/050602/hga_20020506001.shtml |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> A similar goal is stated for a seed swap in [[Devon]], [[England]], where the North Devon Seed Swap has been held since 1 February 2004.<ref name="permaculture">{{cite web |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = North Devon Seed Swap 1st February 2004 |
|||
| work = |
|||
| publisher = Permaculture Association (Britain) |
|||
| url = http://www.permaculture.org.uk/mm.asp?nolinks=y&mmfile=news_seedswap |
|||
| format = |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name="north devon">{{cite news |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| title = Seed swap aims to keep diversity of vegetables |
|||
| work = [[Western Daily Press]] |
|||
| place = |
|||
| pages = |
|||
| language = |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2007-02-16 |
|||
| url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-29662952_ITM |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> |
|||
The Dixon Community Seed Exchange, in Dixon, |
The Dixon Community Seed Exchange, in Dixon, New Mexico, has been taking place annually since 2003. It distributes free seed of homegrown and commercial varieties as available and also provides a forum for the exchange of varieties peculiar to the high mountain areas of northern New Mexico. It attracts several hundred participants and photos may be viewed at its website.<ref>[http://www.talondegato.com/talondegato/Seed_Exchange.html Talon de Gato Farm]</ref> |
||
A distinct and less public kind of seed swap involves the seeds of [[marijuana]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Preston |first=Brian |title=Pot Planet: Adventures in Global Marijuana Culture |publisher=Grove Press |date=2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hsfCjIpRXb0C |isbn=978-0-8021-3897-2}}</ref>{{rp|103–104}}<ref>{{cite book |last=Green |first=Greg |title=The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use |publisher=Green Candy Press |date=2003 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eQg9Bxb2D8UC |isbn=978-1-931160-17-9}}</ref>{{rp|291–292}} |
|||
A distinct and less public kind of seed swap involves the seeds of [[marijuana]].<ref>{{cite book |
|||
| last = Preston |
|||
| first = Brian |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Pot Planet: Adventures in Global Marijuana Culture |
|||
| publisher = Grove Press |
|||
| date = 2002 |
|||
| location = |
|||
| pages = 103–104 |
|||
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=hsfCjIpRXb0C&client=firefox-a |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| id = |
|||
| isbn = 978-0-8021-3897-2}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |
|||
| last = Green |
|||
| first = Greg |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use |
|||
| publisher = Green Candy Press |
|||
| date = 2003 |
|||
| location = |
|||
| page = 291–92 |
|||
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=eQg9Bxb2D8UC&client=firefox-a&pgis=1 |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| id = |
|||
| isbn = 978-1-931160-17-9}}</ref> |
|||
== Biological significance == |
== Biological significance == |
||
Some seed swaps explicitly have a biological |
Some seed swaps explicitly have a biological goal—usually either educating the public in [[organic gardening]] or the attempt to maintain [[crop diversity]].<ref name="southern"/><ref name="oglethorpe"/><ref name="north devon"/> The larger global relevance and beneficial long-range effects of [[Sustainable agriculture|ecological farming]] sustained by seed swaps, and the effects of such practices in countering the effects of [[agrichemical]] [[monoculture]], are beginning to be studied.<ref>{{cite book |last=McMichael |first=Philip |title=Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective |publisher=Pine Forge Press |date=2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m7XigsBpSV0C |isbn=978-1-4129-5592-8}}</ref>{{rp|201}} |
||
| last = McMichael |
|||
| first = Philip |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective |
|||
| publisher = Pine Forge Press |
|||
| date = 2007 |
|||
| location = |
|||
| page = 201 |
|||
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=m7XigsBpSV0C&client=firefox-a |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| id = |
|||
| isbn = 978-1-4129-5592-8}}</ref> |
|||
== Restrictions in the European Union == |
== Restrictions in the European Union == |
||
The [[European Court of Justice]] ruled in 2012 that farmers in the [[European Union]] are allowed under restricted circumstances to both produce and market seeds from plant varieties that are not officially registered and approved. |
The [[European Court of Justice]] ruled in 2012 that farmers in the [[European Union]] are allowed under restricted circumstances to both produce and market seeds from plant varieties that are not officially registered and approved. Sale of such seeds could not be categorically prohibited on the basis of an existing EU guideline on seed registering. The corporation [[Graines Baumax]] had taken the domestic farmers' network [[Association Kokopelli|Kokopelli]] to court and demanded €50,000 (US$61,000).<ref name="dw_court">{{cite web|title=European court rules on trade in non-approved seeds|url=http://www.dw.de/european-court-rules-on-trade-in-non-approved-seeds/a-16090272|date=12 July 2012|access-date=19 February 2013|publisher=dw.de}}</ref> Kokopelli won this case.<ref>{{cite web|title=Procès Kokopelli c. Graines Baumaux : Après presque 10 ans de procédure, la Cour d'Appel de Nancy donne enfin raison à Kokopelli !|url=http://blog.kokopelli-semences.fr/2014/09/proces-kokopelli-c-graines-baumaux-apres-presque-10-ans-de-procedure-la-cour-dappel-de-nancy-donne-enfin-raison-a-kokopelli/|date=18 September 2014|access-date=8 January 2015|publisher=kokopelli-semences.fr}}</ref> |
||
<ref name="dw_court">{{cite web|title=European court rules on trade in non-approved seeds|url=http://www.dw.de/european-court-rules-on-trade-in-non-approved-seeds/a-16090272|date=2012-07-12|accessdate=2013-02-19|publisher=dw.de}}</ref> Kokopelli won this case. <ref>{{cite web|title=Procès Kokopelli c. Graines Baumaux : Après presque 10 ans de procédure, la Cour d’Appel de Nancy donne enfin raison à Kokopelli !|url=http://blog.kokopelli-semences.fr/2014/09/proces-kokopelli-c-graines-baumaux-apres-presque-10-ans-de-procedure-la-cour-dappel-de-nancy-donne-enfin-raison-a-kokopelli/|date=2014-09-18|accessdate=2015-01-08|publisher=kokopelli-semences.fr}}</ref> |
|||
[[France]] has the most strict implementation of the seed laws.<ref name="grain_seed">{{cite web|title=GRAIN — Seed laws in Europe: locking farmers out|url=http://www.grain.org/article/entries/541-seed-laws-in-europe-locking-farmers-out| |
[[France]] has the most strict implementation of the seed laws.<ref name="grain_seed">{{cite web|title=GRAIN — Seed laws in Europe: locking farmers out|url=http://www.grain.org/article/entries/541-seed-laws-in-europe-locking-farmers-out|access-date=19 February 2013|publisher=grain.org}}</ref> |
||
Indications in 2011 is that even more restrictions are on their way.<ref name="seed_neweu">{{cite web|title=New EU Seed Law: |
Indications in 2011 is that even more restrictions are on their way.<ref name="seed_neweu">{{cite web|title=New EU Seed Law: "all power to the multinationals"|url=http://www.seed-sovereignty.org/PDF/New_EU_Seed_Law_EDH_111206_EN.pdf|date=23 March 2012|access-date=19 February 2013|publisher=seed-sovereignty.org}}</ref>{{update inline|date=October 2022}} The European Parliament rejected the European Commission's proposal for plant reproductive material law, also known as the "seed regulation" in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/content/20140307IPR38202/html/MEPs-reject-draft-seed-regulation|title=MEPs reject draft seed regulation|website=europarl.europa.eu |
||
|date= |
|date=11 March 2014|access-date=8 January 2015|publisher=European Parliament}}</ref><ref name="proposal">{{cite web|title=The Commissions proposal for a seed regulation is politically dead|url=http://www.seed-sovereignty.org/EN/|date=11 March 2014|access-date=8 January 2015|publisher=seed-sovereignty.org}}</ref> |
||
== Seed swap locations == |
|||
<!--add only places with references from reliable sources. i need to organize this still...--> |
|||
{{multicol}} |
|||
* [[Järna]], [[Sweden]]<ref name="järna">{{cite web|title=Fröbytardag (Seed Swap Day)|url=http://www.seedysunday.org/page_id__206_path__0p2p9p.aspx|publisher=Seedy Sunday|accessdate=31 August 2012}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Toledo, Ohio]]<ref name="toledo"/> |
|||
* [[Bristol]], [[England]]<ref name="bristol"/> |
|||
* [[North Devon]], England<ref name="north devon"/> |
|||
* [[Brighton]], England<ref name="permaculture"/> |
|||
* [[Athens, Georgia]]<ref name="oglethorpe"/><ref name="southern"/> |
|||
* [[Claremont, California]]<ref name="cali"/> |
|||
* [[Pasadena, California]]<ref name="cali"/> |
|||
{{multicol-break}} |
|||
* [[Los Angeles, California]]<ref name="cali"/> |
|||
* [[Santa Barbara, California]]<ref name="cali"/> |
|||
* [[Tesuque, New Mexico]]<ref name="artisan">{{cite book |
|||
| last = Harris |
|||
| first = Richard |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
|author2=Lisa Fox |author3=Trent Edwards |
|||
| title = Artisan Farming: Lessons, Lore, and Recipes |
|||
| publisher = Gibbs Smith |
|||
| date = 2008 |
|||
| location = |
|||
| page = 13 |
|||
| url = http://books.google.com/books?id=IdbBwzPV2QUC&client=firefox-a |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| id = |
|||
| isbn = 978-1-4236-0133-3}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]] |
|||
* [[Belen, New Mexico]]<ref name="artisan"/> |
|||
* [[Wheaton, Maryland]]<ref>{{cite web |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Special Events: ''Washington Gardener'' Seed Exchange 2009 |
|||
| work = Washington Gardener |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2009 |
|||
| url = http://www.washingtongardener.com/index_files/Page475.htm |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| accessdate = 209-05-29}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Portland, Oregon]]<ref>{{cite web |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Plant & Seed Swap |
|||
| work = |
|||
| publisher = Oregon Live |
|||
| date = 2009-05-11 |
|||
| url = http://blog.oregonlive.com/bridgeton/2009/05/plant_and_seed_swap.html |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Salt Lake City, Utah]]<ref>{{cite web |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| authorlink = |
|||
| title = Plant & Seed Swap |
|||
| work = |
|||
| publisher = SLC People's Market |
|||
| date = 2010-01-30 |
|||
| url = http://slcpeoplesmarket.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=54&Itemid=36 |
|||
| format = |
|||
| doi = |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-12-15}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> |
|||
*[[Southampton]], England<ref>{{cite news |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| title = Southampton Seed Swap Sunday |
|||
| work = [[Southern Daily Echo]] |
|||
| place = |
|||
| pages = |
|||
| language = |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2009-02-14 |
|||
| url = http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4125572.Southampton_Seed_Swap_sunday/ |
|||
| accessdate = 2009-05-29}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Canada]]<ref>{{cite news |
|||
| last = |
|||
| first = |
|||
| title = Seedy Events |
|||
| work = |
|||
| place = |
|||
| pages = |
|||
| language = |
|||
| publisher = |
|||
| date = 2009-02-14 |
|||
| url = http://www.seeds.ca/ev/events.php |
|||
| accessdate = 2010-03-27}}</ref> |
|||
{{multicol-end}} |
|||
[[Dave's Garden]] has an active online seed exchange. |
|||
== See also== |
== See also== |
||
{{Portal|Gardening}} |
{{Portal|Gardening}} |
||
{{div col|colwidth=30em}} |
|||
{{colbegin|2}} |
|||
* [[Community gardening]] |
* [[Community gardening]] |
||
* [[Crop diversity]] |
* [[Crop diversity]] |
||
| Line 341: | Line 146: | ||
* [[Seed library]] |
* [[Seed library]] |
||
* [[Seed saving]] |
* [[Seed saving]] |
||
{{ |
{{div col end}} |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
{{reflist|2}} |
{{reflist|2}} |
||
[[Category: |
[[Category:Food sovereignty]] |
||
[[Category:Gardening]] |
|||
[[Category:Seeds]] |
|||
Revision as of 05:09, 31 January 2024
Seed swaps are events where gardeners meet to exchange seeds. Swapping can be arranged online or by mail,[1] especially when participants are spread out geographically. Swap meet events, where growers meet and exchange their excess seeds in person, are also growing in popularity. In part this is due to increased interest in organic gardening and heritage or heirloom plant varietals. This reflects gardeners' interest in "unusual or particular varieties of flowers and vegetables", according to Kathy Jentz of Washington Gardener Magazine (Maryland).[2]
Seed swaps also help consumers who, due to increases in the cost of living or cut down on expenditures, wish to grow their own food.[3][4] Some events are organized as part of an educational effort, where visitors are taught gardening and growing skills[5][6] and how to preserve an area's cultural heritage[7] and biodiversity.[8] In the United States, the last Saturday of January is "National Seed Swap Day".[9][10][11]
Cultural and culinary significance
Swapping seeds is of great cultural significance for many of the people involved, because it allows a culture which has become widely distributed, such as Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States, to continue to grow the food 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."[12]
In some cases seed swaps are annual events and function as community celebrations (comparable to potlucks),[13]: 158 such as the annual seed swap (in its eleventh year in 2008)[8] on the Oglethorpe farm near Athens, Georgia, organized by two anthropology professors from the University of Georgia (the university has a seedbank, the "Southern Seed Legacy").[8] Participants share seeds of heirloom fruits and vegetables grown in their families or communities for generations; for some, the goal of such swaps is to preserve a "dying" heritage.[14] A similar goal is stated for a seed swap in Devon, England, where the North Devon Seed Swap has been held since 1 February 2004.[15][16]
The Dixon Community Seed Exchange, in Dixon, New Mexico, has been taking place annually since 2003. It distributes free seed of homegrown and commercial varieties as available and also provides a forum for the exchange of varieties peculiar to the high mountain areas of northern New Mexico. It attracts several hundred participants and photos may be viewed at its website.[17]
A distinct and less public kind of seed swap involves the seeds of marijuana.[18]: 103–104 [19]: 291–292
Biological significance
Some seed swaps explicitly have a biological goal—usually either educating the public in organic gardening or the attempt to maintain crop diversity.[8][14][16] The larger global relevance and beneficial long-range effects of ecological farming sustained by seed swaps, and the effects of such practices in countering the effects of agrichemical monoculture, are beginning to be studied.[20]: 201
Restrictions in the European Union
The European Court of Justice ruled in 2012 that farmers in the European Union are allowed under restricted circumstances to both produce and market seeds from plant varieties that are not officially registered and approved. Sale of such seeds could not be categorically prohibited on the basis of an existing EU guideline on seed registering. The corporation Graines Baumax had taken the domestic farmers' network Kokopelli to court and demanded €50,000 (US$61,000).[21] Kokopelli won this case.[22]
France has the most strict implementation of the seed laws.[23] Indications in 2011 is that even more restrictions are on their way.[24][needs update] The European Parliament rejected the European Commission's proposal for plant reproductive material law, also known as the "seed regulation" in 2014.[25][26]
See also
References
- ^ In England, the Cottage Garden Society organizes an annual seed exchange, where members mail in their seeds to the Society; members may then select a number of kinds of seed from a list of submissions. Bennett, Jill (July 2008). "Seed Distribution Programme". Cottage Garden Society. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Dutton, Melissa Kossler (29 May 2009). "Up For Grabs: Gardeners Gather to Swap Seeds, Know-how". Montgomery Advertiser. pp. D1.
- ^ Nicholson, Scott (24 March 2008). "Seed swap sprouts garden traditions". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Gray, Rich (2005). The Frugal Senior: Hundreds of Creative Ways to Stretch a Dollar!. Quill Driver Books. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-884956-49-2.
- ^ Nicholson, Scott (23 February 2007). "Organic Growers School and Seed Swap coming up March 3". Watauga Democrat. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ "First seed-swap event for gardeners". Bristol Evening Post. 19 January 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Carrier, Susan (24 January 2009). "Seed Swap Day of Action events in Southern California". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ a b c d Shearer, Lee (28 April 2008). "Seed swap maintains diversity, knowledge of Southern plants". Athens Banner-Herald. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Rufus, Anneli; Kristan Lawson (April 2008). "Seed swapping: An established way to share and trade seeds". Plenty. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ "Seed Exchange Event". 2007. Rochester Civic Garden Center. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ The Editors of Chase's (2004). Chase's ... calendar of events. McGraw-Hill. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-07-159956-6.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Lane, Tahree (24 February 2006). "Good to grow: Annual seed swap is a kind of cultural exchange program". The Blade. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Flores, H.C.; Holmstrom, Jackie; Hemenway, Toby (2006). Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard Into a Garden and Your Neighborhood Into a Community. Chelsea Green. ISBN 978-1-933392-07-3.
- ^ a b "Seed swap continues tradition on Oglethorpe farm". Athens Banner-Herald. 6 May 2002. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ "North Devon Seed Swap 1st February 2004". Permaculture Association (Britain). Archived from the original on 25 September 2006. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Seed swap aims to keep diversity of vegetables". Western Daily Press. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
- ^ Talon de Gato Farm
- ^ Preston, Brian (2002). Pot Planet: Adventures in Global Marijuana Culture. Grove Press. ISBN 978-0-8021-3897-2.
- ^ Green, Greg (2003). The Cannabis Grow Bible: The Definitive Guide to Growing Marijuana for Recreational and Medical Use. Green Candy Press. ISBN 978-1-931160-17-9.
- ^ McMichael, Philip (2007). Development and Social Change: A Global Perspective. Pine Forge Press. ISBN 978-1-4129-5592-8.
- ^ "European court rules on trade in non-approved seeds". dw.de. 12 July 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "Procès Kokopelli c. Graines Baumaux : Après presque 10 ans de procédure, la Cour d'Appel de Nancy donne enfin raison à Kokopelli !". kokopelli-semences.fr. 18 September 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "GRAIN — Seed laws in Europe: locking farmers out". grain.org. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "New EU Seed Law: "all power to the multinationals"" (PDF). seed-sovereignty.org. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
- ^ "MEPs reject draft seed regulation". europarl.europa.eu. European Parliament. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
- ^ "The Commissions proposal for a seed regulation is politically dead". seed-sovereignty.org. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2015.