Conserving Arkansas's Agricultural Heritage

Listening to Seed Stories in the Mobile Seed Story Broadcasting Station

Seed Broadcast visited the University of Central Arkansas, Seed Lab, on August 7, and met up with folks from Conserving Arkansas's Agricultural Heritage (CAAH!), the Arkansas Local Network, the Central Arkansas New Agrarian Society (CANAS), the Faulkner Public Library, local permaculturalists, farmers, gardeners, and a really old jar of white beans, brought in by Nancy Duke.

 Dr. Brian Campbell discussed how the CAAH! - Seed Lab and Seed Library operates and also described the challenges of community seed saving and sharing: asking others to contribute to this local seed action. CAAH!, helps regional communities start their own yearly seed swaps and promotes growing, saving, and sharing of local heirloom varieties. They have also been busy creating a regional seed library, as well as, producing feature length videos and organizing educational workshops. Check out their latest video Seed Swap. And keep an eye out for more, coming soon.

As a group, we held a round table discussion, where everyone shared thoughts from their gardens and concerns over the drought.  The entire region, much like the entire country is suffering under extremely dry conditions. This looked like the worst yet, with leaves from trees shrivelling, turning brown, and dropping.  People also shared another major environmental concern: fracking. With seismic quakes rumbling in the area, local concern and outrage has stopped the industry for now, until further study can be conducted.  On top of this, is the inevitable fear that water sources will be polluted.

Nancy Drakes, very old jar of white beans....

Even when facing issues like these, which seem bigger than any one person can deal with, the conversation returned to what is being done. Planting, growing food, digging in the dirt, saving seeds, finding seeds long thought lost, and sharing a wealth of care and commitment. It was said, that the only way we can grow stronger and more resilient is by doing. Just like plants adapting to climate change, pursuits at growing our own food, are only possible by continuing to plant, save, and share seeds of resistance.

Angela Gardner, a local gardener, loves popcorn, and loves to grow, save, and share these stories.

Dr. Campbell generously shared several of his published articles on Ozark biodiversity, traditions, and open pollinated seed swaps, check these out below:


"Closest to Everlastin'": Ozark Agricultural Biodiversity and Subsistence Traditions

Open-Pollinated Seed Exchange: Renewed Ozark Tradition as Agricultural Biodiversity Conservation

Thank you Brian, Angela, Michael, Gerald, Nancy, W.C., Bryan, and McKenzie!
The Seed Stories from Conway are coming. So check back in the next couple weeks for audio Seed Stories from CAAH!

Also, coming soon is the next Seed Story Broadcast, from the farm of Herb Culver, an Ozark seed saver, in Deer, Arkansas.

University of Central Arkansas Seed Lab

Seed Broadcast will be at the University of Central Arkansas, in Conway, AR, tomorrow from 1 pm - 4 pm, hosting Seed Story Broadcasting along with Conserving Arkansas's Agricultural Heritage (CAAH!), Arkansas Local Food Network, and the Central Arkansas New Agrarian Society. Stop by, check out the broadcasting station, and share some seed stories.

More Seed Stories from Montpelier

Here are the latest Seed Story Broadcasts from Montpelier, VT. You can find these and more by visiting the Seed Story Broadcast page.

Mary Telfer talks about her first adventure with seeds she collected and planted from store bought peppers.
John Waldo shares stories from his garden which is a collaborative adventure with his friend Roy. He also talks about the bean seeds he was given by another friend, making these into a delicious chili.
Jeff Weinstein, a local commercial soup maker, shares his thoughts on local food economy, seeds, and diversity.

Seed Broadcasting at the Vermont College of Fine Arts

Seed Broadcasting on the college green.

Seed Broadcast Mobile Seed Story Broadcasting Station will be at the Vermont College of Fine Arts, in Montpelier, Vt, from July 29 - Aug 2, listening to seed stories and broadcasting these across the greens.  Below are some of the stories shared so far....keep listening for more seed stories and visit the Seed Story Broadcast page to find more.

We ran into MDL, an anonymous VCFA graduate student, on July 17th. MDL talked about her home grown scarlet runner beans and how she uses them in the classroom for experiential learning.

Hunter Neal shares some seed stories from George Washington to Cuban cigar seeds to the tomato seed, Mortgage Lifter, which he hopes to start saving.

Please stop by and visit us, we would love to listen to your seed stories. You can locate us at 36 College St, Montpelier, Vt, on the college green.
Hours:
July 29 130 - 430 pm
July 30 130 - 400 pm and 830 - 930 pm
July 31 130 - 430 pm
Aug 1   130 - 400 pm
Aug 2   130 - 330 pm

Or call if you would like to make an appointment - 575-512-5740
Or email: SeedBroadcast@gmail.com

Seed Broadcast at the Capital City Farmers' Market

Seed Broadcast visited the Capital City Farmers' Market on Saturday, July 30.  We met many visitors to the market along with several local producers.


Kate Milligan, a local medicinal landscaper shared her seed story with us and told us all about the local organized effort to take back health care through using herbs found in our own backyards to treat health issues. The organization she works with is actively saving seed and helping local folks to grow their own medicinal landscapes. For more information on local efforts to acknowledge and practice health care from the earth visit: Vermont Center for Integrated Herbalism.


We also met Arealles Ortiz and Emma Lutz-Higgins who shared their stories about participating in the local Montpelier High School Seed Library.

While at the farmers market we were blessed to meet Carol and Robert Mouck, two amazing seed savers with magical twinkles in their eyes.  They talked about their efforts in Ontario, founding a seed sanctuary, while trying to encourage and help others to save and grow more seeds. They are both passionate about this effort and worried that many people are not yet ready to embark on this mission. One of the most important aspects they feel the world struggles with is the simple gesture of love and generosity. Something that even seeds desire.

Thank you everyone we met for your joy, encouragement, and struggle to keep seeds in the hands of people!