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  • From: pam AT twinoaks.org
  • To: market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Market-farming] October Seed Savers Workshop in Virginia
  • Date: Sun, 07 Sep 2003 13:22:31 -0400

SEED SAVING/PLANT BREEDING WORKSHOP - "Fundamentals of Plant Improvement
for Organic Agriculture" with master planter breeder, John Navazio PhD

SEE REGISTRATION FORM AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS MESSAGE

Workshop Dates Friday-Sunday, October 24-26, 2003

Location Sophia House, Louisa VA
Organized by Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Mineral VA

Workshop Cost $150/person including lunches. Some partial scholarships
available.

Housing Cost Women's and men's dorms available on site for $45 for the
weekend including breakfast. Dinners
are $5. E-mail Ira AT SouthernExposure.com for other housing options.


WOOKSHOP DESCRIPTION - Fundamentals of Plant Improvement
for Organic Agriculture

This three day intensive course is designed to teach seed growers the
skills necessary for the selection and breeding of seed crops so they are
better adapted to organic systems and environmental challenges. If farmer
selection is directed towards extremes in climate, crop diseases, and pests,
varieties are then produced that will excel under regional and organic
conditions. Through the training of growers on basic methods of seed
production, as well as the techniques and philosophy of selection for
desired attributes, it is possible to demystify the seed growing process,
putting it solidly back in the hands of the small independent farmer.

The courses will emphasize the following areas:

EUR The nature and history of seed production, its challenges and
opportunities, and the intrinsic differences between it and other forms of
crop production.

EUR Selection techniques that increase genetic diversity and elasticity of
open-pollinated vegetables.

EUR Specific breeding methods to improve the plant¹s ability to withstand
disease and insect attack, as well as drought and cold stress.

EUR Selection strategies for increasing the crop's genetic ability to grow
vigorously and retrieve nutrients under cold soil conditions in spring, to
compete with weeds during crucial early growth, and to retrieve water under
dry conditions in summer.

EUR Selection methods used for self-pollinated vs. cross-pollinated crops.
Examples of selection and rouging techniques for these different
reproductive classes.

EUR Types of selection that can be performed during the vegetative vs.
reproductive (seed forming) phases of a plant¹s development will be
considered with a strong emphasis on the necessity for improving crops for
their reproductive health, fecundity, and seed yielding ability. Various
strategies for working with annual vs. biennial crops will also be
addressed.

EUR Philosophical concerns and practical steps for increasing the genetic
elasticity of our crop germplasm.

While this class has no specific prerequisites it does require a serious
commitment from all participants to complete preparatory reading that will
be distributed in advance of the class. Readings will cover basic genetic
principles including Mendel¹s laws, the nature of inheritance, concepts of
reproductive fitness, random mating, horizontal disease and insect
resistance. Previous experience in practical aspects of seed production,
while not required, will be helpful in giving participants an experiential
framework to base many of the principles that will be covered.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: John Navazio is Director of Seed Grower Development
and Seed Research at Abundant Life Seed Foundation. He received his Ph. D
in Plant Breeding and Plant Genetics from the University of Wisconsin,
Madison. He initiated a breeding program for northern adapted tomatoes,
carrots, beets, and squash at Garden City Seeds. John spent five years as
Senior Plant Breeder at Alf Christianson Seed Company in Mount Vernon.

-------------------------

Help us publicize! Please pass this e-mail on, and/or give us names
of others you think might be interested. Also, tell us if you want to be
taken off this list.

Thanks!

Ira Wallace and Pam Dawling

Ira AT SouthernExposure.com
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
1259 Indian Creek RD
Mineral VA 23117
Phone 540-894-0595

------------------------------------------------

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM

Cost $150. Includes handouts, lunches, snacks. Some partial scholarships
available.
$50 deposit required with registration to reserve your place at the
workshop.

Name ____________
Phone ___________
Address __________________
City, State, Zip ___________

E-Mail ___________________

[ ] Full payment enclosed (Visa/MCard/Discover card number and expiration
date)

[ ] Count me in - my $50 deposit check is in the mail. I'll pay the
balance when I get there (cash, check, Visa, MCard, Discover).

[ ] I can't make it to this workshop but please put me on your e-mail
list for future seed-saving events.

Mail to: October 2003 Seed Saving Workshop
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
1259 Indian Creek RD, Mineral VA 23117
Fax to 540-894-9481
E-mail to: Ira AT SouthernExposure.com






  • [Market-farming] October Seed Savers Workshop in Virginia, pam, 09/07/2003

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