We cannot wait to see those of you attending our 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference next week! And if you’re not attending, there’s still time to register for live broadcasting of our organic plant breeding sessions — more on eOrganic.

Here are 10 things to remember as you pack your bags for Port Townsend, WA:

1. Make sure you have a room and meals at Fort Worden. Please make sure you are registered with Fort Worden for all of the days you will be in Port Townsend attending the conference. You should have received a confirmation email from Fort Worden. Please look it over, and if you did not receive this confirmation email, or if you are not confirmed for all the dates that you intend to be at Fort Worden, please contact Fort Worden at 360-344-4439. There may be a delay in their response, so please be patient.

2. Remember to pack your seed! What would our Organic Seed Growers Conference be without a community seed swap? Everyone is invited to bring seed to share at our Saturday night swap!

3. Need a ride? Fort Worden is a bit off the beaten path, but we’re excited for you to join us in our backyard to enjoy the beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. We’ve established a ride share forum to assist participants in finding carpooling opportunities. Please visit it here.

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Organic Plant Breeding Webinars

January 20 – 21, 2012

A special live broadcast from the 6^th Organic Seed Growers Conference

Organic Seed Alliance and eOrganic bring you selected live broadcasts from the 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference in Port Townsend, WA. This conference brings together hundreds of farmers, seed production and distribution companies, researchers, plant breeders, pathologists, and university extension in two days of informative presentations, panel discussions, and networking events.

The webinar broadcasts are free and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

Learn more and register here. A full description of the webinars are after the jump.

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Pre-Conference Tour: Thursday, January 19, 2012

UPDATE: the tour is SOLD OUT as of Jan. 9, 2012.

The Skagit Valley of NW Washington has long been a major vegetable seed production region of international importance. In an all-day field tour co-sponsored by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, we’ll drive through major cabbage, beet and spinach growing regions, visit organic variety trials at Osborne Seed Company, view seed handling operations, and learn about organic seed research projects at the Washington State University NW Research Center. Tour price is $100 per person, which includes bus ride and lunch. Click here to register online for this event — there are only a few spots left!

For Immediate Release: January 4, 2012

Contact: Kristina Hubbard, Director of Advocacy & Communications

kristina@seedalliance.org, (406) 493-6965

Nation’s Largest Organic Seed Conference to Take Place in Port Townsend, WA

Events on January 19 – 21, 2012, Draw Experts from across the U.S.

PORT TOWNSEND, WA – Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) will host its Sixth Organic Seed Growers Conference in Port Townsend, WA, on January 19 – 21, 2012. The conference begins with a one-day tour showcasing the burgeoning organic seed industry in Washington’s Skagit Valley. The conference features presentations, panel discussions, networking events, and entertainment around the theme: Strengthening Community Seed Systems.

The event is the largest in North America to focus solely on organic seed systems. Session topics range from organic plant breeding, seed production, and distribution, to enhancing policies that support the growth and integrity of the organic seed sector.

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Strengthening Community Seed Systems

January 19 – 21, 2012

Fort Worden State Park, Port Townsend, WA

How we steward our seed determines the quality and integrity of our food. Developing organic seed systems is therefore paramount to the ongoing growth and success of organic agriculture. Gather with others in the organic community for the nation’s largest conference focused solely on organic seed to learn from 50 experts in the fields of organic plant breeding, organic seed production, marketing, distribution, policy, and more. With more than two dozen working sessions, the conference suits a range of experience levels and interests. Find more information and register here.

Working Sessions: Our impressive line-up of speakers will present on a range of topics, including participatory plant breeding projects on the farm and in the university sector; organic seed production, marketing, and economics; policy and strategy regarding timely organic seed issues; among a host of other topics. Download the full agenda (opens PDF).

Entertainment, Food and Networking: The conference features delicious organic food featuring the Northwest’s best, entertainment from local musicians, a community seed swap, trade show, and other networking events you won’t want to miss!

Keynote Speakers: Two nationally recognized authorities provide this year’s keynote talks. Dr. William F. Tracy is the interim dean and director of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, leads one of the few remaining public sector sweet corn breeding programs in the U.S., and is active in organic plant breeding projects. Dr. Eric Holt-Gimenez is the executive director of Food First/Institute for Food and Development Policy, an organization working to end the injustices that cause hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation. His research and writing concentrates on the global food crisis, the Farm Bill, fair trade and food justice.

Pre-conference Tour: Washington has long been a major vegetable seed production region of international importance. In an all-day field tour co-sponsored by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, we’ll drive through major cabbage, beet, and spinach growing areas, visit organic variety trials at Osborne Seed Company, view seed handling operations, and learn about organic seed research projects at the Washington State University Northwest Research Center. Find more information and register here.

Trade Show: This is your business and organization’s best opportunity to showcase your products and work, while networking with conference participants throughout the weekend. Find more information here.

“OSA is a convener, partner, and leader in creating the alternative system that small farmers need as the seed industry consolidates: a regionally based seed system by us and for us.”

- Julie Puhich of Common Ground Farm

OSA’s work responds to the needs of organic farmers. We lead the nation in training farmers and other seed professionals in skills necessary to safeguard biological diversity, expand choice in the organic seed marketplace, and protect seed integrity and the rights of farmers. Our work is especially critical in the face of troubling trends in the seed industry, including concentrated market power and limited choice for organic farmers.

Ensuring an organic food future begins with protecting and expanding the fundamental resource of seed. We cannot accomplish this important work without the support of community members like you. Please contribute with a tax-deductible donation today. Or consider giving on behalf of someone you care for this holiday season. Visit www.seedalliance.org to learn more. And be sure to check out our new T-shirts and hats when you give $50 or more!

In 2011, the Northern Organic Variety Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC) continued developing and evaluating varieties of carrots, sweet corn, peas, broccoli, and winter squash for organic agriculture. As a partner in NOVIC, OSA participated in field trials, breeding projects, and education in Washington, Oregon, California, and Minnesota. We also compiled preliminary organic variety trial reports, now available on NOVIC’s website, to assist farmers in finding the best varieties for their production system.

The new NOVIC website is your one-stop shop to learn more about the project and upcoming events, access variety trial data, and more. Bookmark: http://eorganic.info/novic/

The following article is a response to a New York Times opinion piece published on December 15, 2011, titled: “Nepal and Others Mull Monsanto’s Role in Advancing Agriculture.”

Misinformation and polarized views on seed seem to flood the media these days, as evidenced by Andrew Revkin’s blog post. I think we all agree, however, that seed is essential to life, now and in the future.

There are a few topics highlighted in this blog post that demand a deeper examination. First, what are the relative benefits of hybrid seed versus open-pollinated (OP) seed? Second, what are the reasons the Nepalese government would encourage or discourage hybrid seed instead of OP seed in Nepal?

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“Seeds are all about the next generation, which is exactly what organic is about. The work of OSA is crucial to the future of food and life.”

Atina Diffley
OSA board member and owner, Organic Farming Works

“No other organization’s efforts match the work of Organic Seed Alliance. They understand that the foundation of organic agriculture starts with the seed. If organic farmers want to grow good food then we need good seed to work within our systems. Their research, advocacy, education and support have had consistent, positive impacts on my organic seed farm.”

Beth Rasgorshek
OSA supporter and owner, Canyon Bounty Farm

“I believe in OSA and their mission — they are accomplishing great things. Their work complements our efforts at Seed Savers Exchange, and we’re delighted to be partnering with OSA on a new seed saving book.”

Amy Goldman
OSA supporter and board chair, Seed Savers Exchange

Please donate today. Here’s how.