Seed Assessment

Open-pollinated seed is being lost at a rapid rate. In the United States, 95% of varieties that were grown in 1900 are no longer available today. These varieties were the backbone of the home garden and the market farm for centuries. The Kohala Center received a grant through the USDA/OREI (Organic Research and Education Initiative) to hold a Public Seed Symposium in the spring of 2010. Prior to the Symposium we conducted a Statewide Seed Assessment, which 131 people participated in.

This Seed Assessment was sent to potential participants across the state in the hopes of gathering basic information about interest and knowledge of seed growing and saving that would assist us in planning a meaningful program for the Symposium and assessing future educational needs. Statewide and island-wide seed working groups have emerged from the Symposium, as well as the need for future workshops to gather knowledge, conduct variety trials, and coordinate field days to share seed and information on-farm, leading to production of high quality seed for both the home and market.

Click here to learn more about the data gathered in the seed assessment.