1 of 65

Become Seed Independent

More Fun, Better Food

​

A talk with Julia Dakin

​

2 of 65

3 of 65

4 of 65

5 of 65

6 of 65

Local Microbes

7 of 65

3 Reasons Why Your Seeds Will Make Healthier Plants

  1. Local Microbes
  2. Selection By the Local Ecosystem
  3. Genetic Diversity

8 of 65

Local Microbes

9 of 65

Local Microbes

10 of 65

Local Microbes

11 of 65

Local Microbes

12 of 65

We need more tools

​

For the Bigger Challenges

13 of 65

14 of 65

15 of 65

16 of 65

17 of 65

18 of 65

19 of 65

20 of 65

2023

21 of 65

increasing Genetic Diversity

22 of 65

23 of 65

24 of 65

25 of 65

26 of 65

27 of 65

GETTING STARTED

28 of 65

Family:

Nightshade

Brassica

Grasses

etc

​

Species:

Tomato

Potato

Peppers

Eggplant

etc

Variety:

Brandywine

Sungold

Roma

etc

DON’T cross-pollinate

DO cross-pollinate

29 of 65

The First Year

  1. Increase Diversity 2. Change Mindset

30 of 65

Change Mindset

31 of 65

Change Mindset

32 of 65

Choose 1-2

projects to start

33 of 65

Learn more about that species

  1. What else is in the same species and would cross?
  2. Do I need to keep anything separated/isolated?
    1. If So, by how much?

34 of 65

Gather Seeds

​

35 of 65

Mix your chosen varieties together

break the seed saving “rules”

36 of 65

37 of 65

38 of 65

Minimum Population Size Recommendations:

25 Plants!

2 Plants!

Pure

Diverse

39 of 65

save seeds

40 of 65

Thriving plants!

​

Start selecting for flavor

​

​

Second Year

41 of 65

Colorful varieties have up to 200 times more antioxidants

42 of 65

“Magical Year”

​

​

Taste everything

​

​

Third Year:

43 of 65

44 of 65

45 of 65

46 of 65

(Everybody) Brainstorm then choose 3 favorites:

What seeds will you

share here next February?

-Choose a species

-Optional: Connect Throughout the Year to get support

–Gain Access to others’ seeds at the Seed Circle next year

47 of 65

​

  • Sweet Peppers (GTS)
  • Watermelon (GTS)
  • Butternut Mix
  • Dry Beans (YSP)
  • Tomatoes
  • Kale (YSP)

​

​

Yokayo Seed Project Seed Circle

48 of 65

GoingToSeed.org

​

Mission: Going to Seed seeks to inspire a shift in agriculture towards adaptation, community, and diversity.

Community

Courses

Seeds

Community

49 of 65

The rest here are optional slides in case questions came up or there was extra time

​

Learning squash species is always popular, especially when I bring actual squash to pass around.

50 of 65

100 ft

Crosses to avoid

51 of 65

30 ft

Crosses to avoid

52 of 65

​

To avoid

cross pollination:

​

30 ft- ish

53 of 65

​

​

Explanation of Squash Species

​

–Maxima

–Moschata

–Pepo

-(Mixta)

​

Don’t cross with each other

54 of 65

  • Butternut
  • Long Island Cheese
  • Dickenson
  • Musquee de Provence
  • Seminole
  • Trombocino

Moschata

55 of 65

Distinctive, Smaller Seeds

Hard narrow stems, usually ridged, five sided and flared

56 of 65

C. Maxima

Common Varieties:

  • Buttercup
  • Hubbard
  • Kabocha
  • Banana
  • Red Kuri
  • Sweetmeat

57 of 65

Maxima

Stems are larger and softer/spongy

Seeds are larger, white or brown

58 of 65

C. Pepo

​

  • Zucchini
  • Patty pan
  • Yellow summer
  • Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins
  • Acorn
  • Delicata
  • Hulless pumpkins
  • Spaghetti

59 of 65

​

Pepo

60 of 65

61 of 65

“Bitter squash syndrome”

62 of 65

  1. “I’m not sure if it’s worth the time/ effort”

63 of 65

Selection By the Local Ecosystem

64 of 65

65 of 65