Once a common practice in backyards and farms, the selection
and saving of seeds has been overtaken by the commercialization
of agriculture. This centralization has led to a staggering 94%
reduction in genetic diversity in the last century. In selecting for
uniformity in appearance and production, seed producers have
inadvertently created crops prone to ‘inbreeding depression,’
and more susceptible to stresses such as disease and drought.
Growers apply more fertilizers, pesticides, and other forms of
crop protection. Even in certified organic systems, the reliance on
plastics and organic pesticides to produce a harvest remains high.
Our approach focuses on adapting plants to local conditions,
rather than changing conditions to support the plants. This is the
approach that was common in industrialized countries before
1900, and many Indigenous people around the world continue to
practice today. Going to Seed encourages gardeners and farmers
to allow different varieties of a crop to freely cross-pollinate,
saving and sharing seeds each year from the healthiest plants.
With each successive year, the plants become more adapted
to the local soil microbiology, pest challenges, and climate, a
distinct advantage over seeds grown in a different bioregion.
This mindset shift is at the heart of Adaptation Gardening. We
empower growers with the knowledge, seeds, and resources
to shift toward sustainable farming methods that rely on
adaptation rather than inputs. We advocate for genetic diversity.
We promote local seed, and educate about seed saving.
SHIFTING MINDSETS
Potatoes grown from seed are more able to
adapt than those grown from tubers.