Seed Chat: What Are the Global Rules?

4pm Pacific / 5pm Mountain / 6pm Central / 7pm Eastern
— Arizona: 4pm Summer / 5pm Winter (changes w/ DST) —

This month’s topic: What Are the Global Rules?

Register HERE anytime for next class

We’ll examine the global framework governing seed ownership, control, and distribution.

We’ll explore the United Nations’ International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), adopted in 2001 and in force since 2004. This legally binding agreement seeks to ensure conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits from plant genetic resources.

How are seeds meant to move from smallholder farmers in the Global South to institutions and corporations in the Global North?
Who benefits — and who decides?

These conversations aren’t abstract policy discussions. They shape what we plant, what we eat, and what future generations will inherit.

New topics each* month

In this LIVE online Q&A Session…

• Bill McDorman will be discussing key issues relating to growing your own food and saving the seeds yourselves.
• He will be answering your seed questions live!
• Learn how to save and store seeds so that you can create a thriving, resilient garden tailored to YOUR yard
• Ask Bill your most pressing seed questions and get the inspiration and know-how to be a seed saving superhero

(*No class in January)

Register HERE anytime for next class

Faculty: Bill McDorman was Executive Director and co-founder of the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance (RockyMountainSeeds.org), SeedSave.org and Seed School. Bill has been teaching seed saving for decades and is dedicated to educating communities about the value of seed saving and local seeds as the foundation of local food.