{"id":13205,"title":"The Seed Gathering - October 2021","description":"A collection of discussions, workshops and talks celebrating the diversity, opportunities and deep cultural connections of our seeds.","content":"<p><strong>Welcome! The t-shirts you've been looking at have come into being because this October <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gaiafoundation.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gaia Foundation<\/a> is hosting the first ever Seed Gathering! A collection of discussions, workshops and talks celebrating the diversity, opportunities and deep cultural connections of our seeds. Book your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/seed-gathering-2021-tickets-169110551211\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tickets here!<\/a><\/strong><\/p><p>Taking place online on<strong> Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October<\/strong>, the Gathering is part of Gaia's UK &amp; Ireland <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedsovereignty.info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seed Sovereignty Programme<\/a>.<\/p><p>We believe that <strong>a food revolution starts with seed<\/strong>, and so our team of dedicated coordinators are based across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland to support small-scale seed producers current and future, who place diversity, localism, taste and nutrition at the heart of what they do.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/1e1mk9572mbdmfozdu718tlximnxwig6as85adhqxe2lwzko.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82176864\" \/><br \/><br \/><strong>What can I expect at the Gathering?<\/strong><\/p><ul><li><p>A welcome address by internationally-celebrated scientist and activist\u00a0<strong>Dr Vandana Shiva<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li><p>Updates and planning sessions for our\u00a0<strong>grain and vegetable seed networks<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li><p>'<strong>Seeds of Justice<\/strong>' film screening narrated by Channel 4's Jon Snow<\/p><\/li><li><p>Spotlight on a new\u00a0<strong>oat dehuller prototype and processing equipment<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li><p>Discussions on\u00a0<strong>grain and vegetable seed legislation in the UK post-Brexit<\/strong><\/p><\/li><li><p>Wisdom from international allies and collaborators<\/p><\/li><li><p><strong>Seed genetic diversity<\/strong>\u00a0insights and opportunities<\/p><\/li><li><p>...and much, much more!<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p>The Gathering will be held virtually but we have a few tricks up our sleeve to ensure that all attendees still feel connected, engaged and excited by what\u2019s on offer!<\/p><h3>Sign up by 15th of October to receive a free event pack with:<\/h3><p>- zine full of info &amp; insights about and by speakers at the Gathering<\/p><p>- Sweet treat baked by Small Food Bakery made with rare Welsh black oats from Caerhys farm (participants based in UK due to shipping restrictions)<\/p><p>- Free seeds from the newly-formed Wales Seed Hub (first 100 sign-ups, participants based in England\/Scotland\/Wales due to shipping restrictions)<\/p><p>- Free 'Sheaf' book for next 88 sign ups provided by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/hodmedods.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hodmedods<\/a> (participants based in UK due to shipping restrictions)<\/p><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/seed-gathering-2021-tickets-169110551211\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE<\/a> ....Full line up below!<\/strong><\/p><h2><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/oas1zzig4nvp2ecdcq6dogazvnv5dirin9nybgi3icyqfzfm.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82176723\" \/><br \/><br \/><strong>The Seed Gathering Programme:<\/strong><\/h2><h3>Saturday, 23rd October<\/h3><p><strong><em>Opening Plenary\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>9:30am - Welcome &amp; opening remarks by Vandana Shiva<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>10.30am - <em>Session 1<\/em>\u00a0 \u2013 Accessing Agrodiversity: Searching for new varieties with Kate McEvoy of Real Seeds &amp; Catriona Fenton of Garden Organic<\/strong><\/p><p>Despite huge losses in crop diversity over the last century, there are still rare seeds with many incredible traits \u2013 from taste to tolerance - available to growers but little known or accessed. These varieties may reside in community seed banks, in the custodianship of older farmers, in genebanks or with breeders, and this session will look at how to access them through partnerships and networks that foster solidarity and sharing across the small-scale seed movement. We will explore some of the tools that small-scale seed producers and seed banks have used to access diverse vegetable seeds. The session will be particularly relevant to anyone wanting to start seed collecting or selling their own varieities.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>11.30am \u2013 <em>Session 2<\/em>\u00a0- Globalising the (Seed) Struggle: Lessons from La Via Campesina Movement<\/strong><\/p><p>In this session we will hear from peasants, farmers and activists from the international grassroots movement La Via Campesina. The speakers will share stories and strategies of the past two decades from their farmers unions and networks organising across the globe in response to the concentration of seed ownership, seed enclosures and the loss of agrobiodiveristy.<\/p><p><strong>12.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 3<\/em>\u00a0 - Reviving Grain Equipment: Human-scale Machinery for Big Challenges with Adam Veitch, crofter and founder of Ryevolution<\/strong><\/p><p>To revive our fields with diverse grains, we must revive the machines that enable us process and eat them. In this session we will hear from Adam Veitch \u2013 an engineer, grower and baker \u2013 on the work he has been doing with the Seed Sovereignty Programme to research the human scale grain processing machinery of the past. Adam is using his research to develop an open source design for a dehuller which will allow farmers to dehull grains in their fields.<\/p><p><strong>1.30pm \u2013<em>Lunch<\/em>\u00a0 - Virtual Seed Tour with Real Seeds - <\/strong>Grab a bite to eat and join Kate and Ben on a virtual tour around their site in Pembrokeshire, a hub of activity for open-pollinated veg seed adored around the UK.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/nv1czbrkv4w5szggknsv8cgcf7wgsk37wftqix0iytqglulj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82176925\" \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><\/p><p><strong>2.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 4<\/em>\u00a0 - Organic Seed Breeding: Progress and challenges with Humberto Rios Labrada of CAWR<\/strong><\/p><p>Small scale farmers play a crucial role in the management and use of agrobiodiversity, of which seeds form a central part. Farmers are increasingly understanding that their work is valuable and attempting to achieve appropriate recompense within public sector and food value chains. This situation, which is commonly repeated worldwide, is the driver of this session, which aims to explore innovative business models and learning approaches to increase and support sustainable agrobiodiversity management and to reconnect food chain players and civil society with agrobiodiversity values. Humberto\u2019s research has taken place in Cuba, Mexico and also in Europe.<\/p><p><strong>3.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 5<\/em>\u00a0 - Vegetable Seed Legislation: Where We Are and Where We Want to Be, with Lawyer and activist Fulya Batur of Kybele Consultancy<\/strong><\/p><p>Seed legislation expert Fulya Batur talks us through UK vegetable seed legislation as it stands and the work being done to shift the landscape for a more diverse and fair future in seed.<\/p><p><strong>4.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 6<\/em>\u00a0 - Grain Legislation: Where We Are and Where We Want to Be, with Fulya Batur, Kimberley Bell &amp; Charlotte Bickler<\/strong><\/p><p>Seed legislation expert Fulya Batur, joined by UK Grain Lab founder Kimberley Bell and the Organic Research Centre\u2019s Charlotte Bickler discuss the grain legislation landscape and options for the future.<\/p><p><strong>5.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 7<\/em>\u00a0 - Sovereign Medicine: Medicinal herb seed issues and opportunities with Richo Cech of Strictly Medicinal Seeds and Ben Heron of Earthsong Seeds<\/strong><\/p><p>Discussions of seed sovereignty usually focus on grain or vegetable seed, but our oft-overlooked medicinal seed is in a precarious position as additional shipping restrictions and lack of local producers leaves medicinal herb growers struggling to source seed. Joined by Richo Cech of Strictly Medicinal Seeds, widely regarded as one of the most important medicinal seed suppliers, and Ben Heron of Earthsong Seeds, we discuss the state of medicinal seed, draw inspiration from the past and plan next steps for the future.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/rn6jto88oij9eulonybzitcjesuruztz9op3gbvbsulpfipa.png.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82177046\" \/><br \/><\/p><p><strong>7.30pm \u2013<em>FILM NIGHT<\/em>\u00a0 - Seeds of Justice Film &amp; Conversation with Liz Hosken, Director of the Gaia Foundation and Dr Clare O\u2019Grady Walshe, Director of the Seed Sovereignty Group at Trinity College Dublin<\/strong><\/p><p>The film follows Ethiopian plant geneticist Dr Melaku Worede\u2019s inspirational work to re-valorise farmers\u2019 knowledge and protect their position as guardians of seed diversity. Narrated by Channel 4 newsreader Jon Snow.<\/p><h3>Sunday, 24th October<\/h3><p><strong>9.30am \u2013 <em>Session 1<\/em>\u00a0- Seed to Plate: Working together to build small-scale grain networks with Fred Price and Rosy Benson of Gothelney Farm and Field Bakery, John Turner &amp; Kimberley Bell \u2013 The Grange, Small Food Bakery, Josiah Meldrum &amp; Henrietta Inman \u2013 Hodmedods, Wakelyns Bakery<\/strong><\/p><p>By enabling the diversification of cereal seed, we can empower a new generation of localised, equitable grain networks. A spirit of openness and collaboration over the long term is required to ensure resilient, sustainable and positive economies can be established. This panel session will present three working networks, illustrate some of the learning they have undertaken so far, and allow opportunity for questions from the audience.<\/p><p><strong>10:30am \u2013 <em>Session 2<\/em>\u00a0- Pulses, Proteins and the UK Diet with Josiah Meldrum of Hodmedods<\/strong><\/p><p>The majority of pulses are imported to the UK &amp; Ireland despite the fact we used to grow many more on these islands. Hodmedods was founded in 2012 to bring back UK grown pulses and other food crops working with British Farmers. From Fava beans to \u201cBlack Badger\u201d Carlin Peas and Quinoa from the plains of Essex, Hodmedods will talk about this journey and current opportunities.<\/p><p><strong>11.30am \u2013 <em>Session 3<\/em>\u00a0- Community Seed Forum: Rural and Urban Seen Initiatives - <\/strong>Open to all community seed groups in our network<\/p><p>Urban and rural community seed initiatives face distinct constraints, challenges and opportunities. Join us for this Community Seed Forum, as we together unpack these and tease out potential solutions and collaborations. This session will begin with a few brief presentations from existing seed projects before opening the floor for open discussion.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/ybwek6gporzzs67xh7v9pjznkv4lfjrzqz2nnby9jrtgzjg1.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82176927\" \/><br \/><br \/><br \/><strong>12.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 4<\/em>\u00a0- Three Irish Seed Saving Pioneers: a journey back to the beginning, with Madeline McKeever of Brown Envelope Seeds, Kevin Dudley of Cloughjordan Community Farm and Anita Hayes, Founder of Irish Seed Savers Association<\/strong><\/p><p>Going back to the source of the modern day revival of seed saving in Ireland, we talk to three pioneers who were there at the beginning. We will ask the questions who inspired them, what motivated them and are they hopeful for the future amongst other things. It promises to be a deep session that will go to the heart of what being a seed saver means in these times.<\/p><p><strong>1.30pm \u2013 <em>Lunch<\/em>\u00a0- Llafur Ni (Our Grains): Film Screening<\/strong><\/p><p>Welsh organic farmer Gerald Miles has been on an epic quest to rediscover the rare black oats his grandfather once grew in Pembrokeshire fields overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. For a long time it looked like his search would be in vain, and that the black oats were gone for good\u2026 then he met Owen Shires and Iwan Evans Coedfadre. (This story inspired part of the Seed Gathering poster and t-shirt design).<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/bpgcmx1ixwuwztzpfn3blkp84ntqie3p627cncqkr6qyohaj.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82177022\" \/><br \/><br \/><strong>2.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 5 - <\/em>Fostering Genetic Diversity within the variety development process with Ambrogio Constanzo of the Organic Research Centre, Jack Kloppenburg of the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) and Liz O\u2019Neill of GM Freeze<\/strong><\/p><p>Genetic diversity plays a key role in ensuring resilience, robustness, stability and performance in food production, however industrialised agricultural systems and supermarkets are driving the loss of genetic diversity in our food. What can we do reverse this, and what do we need to happen to realise and release Nature\u2019s potential in our crop varieties?\u200b Join our panel in exploring options for promoting diversity and reintroducing resilience into our food system.<\/p><p><strong>3.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 6<\/em>\u00a0- Contracting Between Growers and Suppliers with Nikos Kavanya of Fedco Seeds, David Price of the Seed Coop and Kate McEvoy of Real Seeds<\/strong><\/p><p>Join seed growers from the UK and USA for a roundtable discussion about their different approaches to contracts between seed growers and suppliers.<\/p><p><strong>4.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 7<\/em>\u00a0 - In Conversation with the Seed Sovereignty Team: Exciting updates from our networks<\/strong><\/p><p>An informal conversation with the Seed Sovereignty team highlighting what\u2019s going on across our networks. A great opportunity to get inspiration from what\u2019s going on not too far from home!<\/p><p><strong>5.30pm \u2013 <em>Session 8<\/em>\u00a0 - Lessons from Our Global Allies with Cara Loriz of the Organic Seed Alliance, Jane Rabinowicz former ED of SeedChange and Mattias Lormier of Let\u2019s Liberate Diversity Format: Panel discussion<\/strong><\/p><p>No movement exists in a vaccuum, and the seed movement in the UK and Ireland has been following in the footsteps of and developing collaboration with similar movements in the US, Canada and across Europe. In this lively discussion hear from those who have provided inspiration and now present opportunity for collaboration in the future.<\/p><p><img src=\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/eavvuuhvqvecuqsuiph0cbnz4ewdyhfsi12fqdbstgfov6ok.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&amp;h=auto\" alt=\"\" title=\"82176711\" \/><br \/><br \/><strong>With thanks!<\/strong><\/p><p>The Gathering is brought to you by The Gaia Foundation's Seed Sovereignty Programme and our event partners the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.organicresearchcentre.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Organic Research Centre<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/landworkersalliance.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Landworkers' Alliance<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ukgrainlab.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UK Grain Lab<\/a>. It has been made possible thanks to the kind support of our funders:<a href=\"https:\/\/thirtypercy.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u00a0Thirty Percy<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/samworthfoundation.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samworth Foundation<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ateamfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A Team Foundation<\/a>, the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/savitri.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Savitri Trust<\/a>, and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.betheearth.foundation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Be the Earth Foundation<\/a>.<\/p><p><em>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.seedsovereignty.info\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Seed Sovereignty Programme of the UK &amp; Ireland<\/a> aims to support the development of a biodiverse and ecologically sustainable seed system here on home soil. Working closely with farmers, seed producers and partners across the seed sector, together we want more agro-ecological seed produced by trained growers, to conserve threatened varieties and to breed more varieties for future resilience. Check out our website, find your nearest coordinator and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gaianet.org\/pages\/5-subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">join the mailing list<\/a> if you'd like to stay in touch.<\/em><\/p><p><em>The programme is being led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gaiafoundation.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Gaia Foundation<\/a> who have been working on seed and knowledge for over three decades both in the UK and overseas.<\/em><\/p>","urlTitle":"the-seed-gathering","url":"\/blog\/the-seed-gathering\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/the-seed-gathering\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/thegaiafoundation.teemill.com\/blog\/the-seed-gathering\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1633978958,"updatedAt":1634134111,"publishedAt":1634134111,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":139496,"name":"The Gaia Foundation"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/do7qe5jmdbqkhnephgdnkfgum6h1yyncxgepecosrzgaa7se.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/do7qe5jmdbqkhnephgdnkfgum6h1yyncxgepecosrzgaa7se.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/do7qe5jmdbqkhnephgdnkfgum6h1yyncxgepecosrzgaa7se.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"Seed Gathering","metaDescription":"Seed Gathering 2021 23rd - 24th October, a food revolution starts with seed.","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":13208,"title":"Ellis Bowdler from Vallis Veg talks to Gaia about her love of Seed Saving","url":"\/blog\/gaia-talks-to-ellis-bowdler\/","urlTitle":"gaia-talks-to-ellis-bowdler","division":139496,"description":"We're incredibly grateful to the team at Vallis Veg in Frome for turning their green fingered hands to modelling for the afternoon and donning the Seed Revolution Tee so wonderfully. Ellis Bowdler is fast becoming an incredibly skilled seed saver thanks to Gaia's Seed Sovereignty Programme trainings.\nWe took the chance to talk to Ellis about all things seed...","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/v1zjixe3ielzhz3wzex4evkksdzvg0r6jscdyn96pgkslq9l.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/v1zjixe3ielzhz3wzex4evkksdzvg0r6jscdyn96pgkslq9l.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":13207,"title":"The Story Behind the Artwork","url":"\/blog\/the-story-behind-the-artwork\/","urlTitle":"the-story-behind-the-artwork","division":139496,"description":"We're thrilled to have collaborated with much loved artist Isla Middleton to come up with the iconic image to represent the Seed Gathering 2021, and now feature on this exclusive range of t-shirts.  With a popular series of foraging posters and calendars, Isla's work had caught the attention of Gaia's Seed Sovereignty Team and we knew that her style would suit the Seed Gathering perfectly.  Isla&nbsp;usually sources&nbsp;inspiration&nbsp;for&nbsp;her&nbsp;designs&nbsp;from&nbsp;plant&nbsp;forms,&nbsp;flowers&nbsp;and&nbsp;natural colours&nbsp;from&nbsp;her&nbsp;immediate&nbsp;surroundings,&nbsp;but we challenged her to create a design featuring three seeds which relate to particular stories connected to our Seed Sovereignty UK &amp; Ireland Programme","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rdrheurqbe5fe72ydcdqoemuat0v1y0ujcq35nejffyidc3r.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/rdrheurqbe5fe72ydcdqoemuat0v1y0ujcq35nejffyidc3r.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":13232,"title":"Introducing Gaia & the Seed Sovereignty Programme","url":"\/blog\/the-folk-behind-the-tee-gaia-the-seed-sovereignty-programme\/","urlTitle":"the-folk-behind-the-tee-gaia-the-seed-sovereignty-programme","division":139496,"description":"Registered UK charity The Gaia Foundation (Gaia) has been working at the nexus of climate resilience, seed diversity and indigenous knowledge for over three decades, both in the UK and overseas.  Across Africa we support local and indigenous communities to revive their local seed diversity, by restoring confidence in their traditional knowledge and governance systems.  We also use communications to raise the voices of traditional seed keepers and small-holder farmers and fisherfolk around the world, and in 2012 we released the documentary Seeds of Freedom,  narrated by Jeremy Irons, to exposing the truth about the corporate takeover of seed","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/orqqaof3m2cmg3la9f8vlypoxvnfgp4ymrw4v044wyx89tmt.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/orqqaof3m2cmg3la9f8vlypoxvnfgp4ymrw4v044wyx89tmt.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}