A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. -This episode of Seed Chat explores the future of seed sovereignty through two connected lenses: grassroots seed libraries and the global seed banking system. Greg Peterson is joined by Bill McDorman and special guest Rebecca Newburn to examine how communities can steward seeds locally while industrial institutions struggle to preserve crop diversity at scale.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – This Seed Chat explores the growing consolidation of global seed ownership and the implications of patenting life. Farmer Greg and Bill McDorman dive into the history of seed patent law, the rise of corporate control, and the tension between industrial agriculture and traditional seed saving. They highlight global efforts, especially in Europe, to resist seed patents and protect biodiversity. The episode emphasizes seed saving as both a practical skill and a powerful act of resilience and autonomy.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman explore the idea of the seed commons—seeds as shared cultural, ecological, and community wealth rather than private commodities.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. -Greg Peterson and seed expert Bill McDorman dig into the urgent need for climate-resilient seeds as global conditions shift. They explore how traditional varieties falter under heat, drought, flooding, and unpredictable weather—and why locally adapted, open-pollinated seeds are becoming essential tools for regional food security.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this month’s Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss the pressing issue of seed sovereignty in the age of corporate control. They highlight the growing dominance of a few corporations over the global seed supply, which has resulted in decreased biodiversity and increased farmer dependency.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In this months Seed Chat Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman, discuss the art and craft of harvesting seeds. They cover the basics of seed saving, including observation, threshing, and water winnowing, with a focus on tomatoes. The chat also delves into various resources, books, and historical practices for effective seed harvesting. They answer audience questions, including issues with onion seed pollination and share personal anecdotes and practical tips for both small-scale and larger-scale seed saving. The session emphasizes the importance of creating a new seed-saving culture and learning from experienced gardeners.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – The conversation covers the benefits of wildflowers, emphasizing their role in permaculture and ecological wealth. They highlight successful gardening practices, including using grains and legumes as cover crops to maintain soil health.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. -Greg and Bill discuss the fundamentals of seed saving, emphasizing the importance of observation in the garden to identify the healthiest plants for seed collection. They share their experiences and techniques for selecting seeds, such as paying attention to plant resilience, disease resistance, and environmental adaptation.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – Greg and Bill McDorman explore why seed saving virtually disappeared. They reveal how, historically, seed saving was an integral practice for gardeners and farmers, promoting more resilient and adaptable crops. However, the industrialization of agriculture and commercialization of seeds in the 20th century led to a decline in this practice due to economic pressures and the introduction of laws favoring seed patents and protections. Bill recounts the historical developments, including the idea of patenting of plants in the 1930s and the eventual patenting of seeds in the 1980s.
A Seed Chat with Bill McDorman. – In This Podcast: Greg and Bill navigate the evolution of seed ownership and its impact on biodiversity. They highlight how, historically, seeds were predominantly grown locally, fostering diversity. However, today, four major companies dominate the global seed market, resulting in a significant loss of agricultural diversity. This shift has made the food system vulnerable to diseases and climate change, which were traditionally mitigated by seed diversity. Efforts to preserve genetic diversity through seed banks are underfunded and face operational challenges, raising concerns about future accessibility.
The conversation emphasizes the importance of local seed saving and sharing initiatives as a means to reclaim control over seeds. Resources like Seed Up Saturday and organizations such as goingtoseed.org are promoted as vital tools for increasing seed diversity within communities. The session concludes with encouragement for individuals to actively participate in seed saving and sharing to enhance local food security and biodiversity.
