by David Parkinson

The plant is the seed’s way of reproducing itself. And humans are the plant’s way of being kept safe and pest-free long enough to produce seeds? Hmm… so, when we cultivate plants for food, medicine, or their beauty, we are part of nature’s giant conspiracy to keep seeds around? Humans have been actively involved in shaping nature for thousands of years, and we still are, especially through efforts like saving seeds.

In Powell River, there’s an active community working to save seeds, share seeds, and make sure of a good supply of seeds for growing food. If you want to be more involved in these community efforts, here’s how:

I. Come out to the fourth annual Seedy Saturday (March 14 2009, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at the Community Living Place on Artaban)
Bring your seeds in dry, sealed envelopes and swap them for other seeds. Or you can buy seed packets for fifty cents. You can exchange bedding plants, perennials, roots/tubers, berries, shrubs, and trees. Community groups will be there to give out information on gardening, permaculture, composting, beekeeping, and seed saving. There will also be five free garden-related workshops during the day. Admission is one dollar and children under twelve get in free.

II. Come to a potluck dinner and seed packaging bee sponsored by Kale Force, a local growers’ support group (Wednesday February 11, 5-8 p.m. at the Community Resource Centre, 4752 Joyce Ave.)
After a potluck meal, we will be packaging donated seeds at the bee to fund Seedy Saturday; also, if you have seeds from your own garden to package for swapping, bring them, and we’ll help you get ready.

III. Come and ‘Dig-it’, on Sunday March 1st 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in Wildwood.
This free workshop demonstrates the division and the digging up of berries and other food plants. Volunteers are invited to bring their boots and extra large pots to Farmers’ Institute member farms: 1:00 PM at Hatch-a-Bird Farm (6603 McMahon Ave.); 2:00 PM with Wendy Devlin at 6834 Smarge Ave. The newly potted plants will be donated to the Seedy Saturday plant exchange.

IV. Read and participate in the new Powell River Seed Savers blog at http://seedsavers.wordpress.com.
We’re hoping that this year we will see a more focused and committed community effort to save seeds and to educate ourselves about how to save high-quality seeds. The blog will be our electronic ‘street corner’ for hanging out, asking and answering questions, sharing stories, successes, and challenges, and creating a community of dedicated seed-savers. Come on by and join the conversation!