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The Wisdom of Plant Heritage, Organic Seed Production and Saving

$13.00

A how-to for the small producer-the best technique for growing the seed that contains the knowledge of how to thrive, propagate and please the taste buds under local conditions.  The goals of organic farming involve the principles of genetics, and this volume explains hybrid vs. open-pollinated seed.  It also offers the most successful propagation techniques and tips for harvesting, preparing and storing the seed you've saved.  Organic Seed Production and Saving importantly gives crop-family-by-crop-family advice and fascinating lore.  In a section on commercial seed production and sales, it offers profiles of six seed companies, part of whose business is protecting the genetic heritage of the crop plant world. There is a list of seed sources and seed-saving references.  Bryan Connolly is a Connecticut seed grower for Fedco and Baker Creek Seeds and an heirloom cucurbit and corn seed grower.  He has worked locating heirloom varieties for seed sales.  C.R. Lawn is founder of Fedco Seeds and heads the Restoring Our Seed project, which sponsors conferences and creates printed materials about saving endangered seed.  Organic farmers (and all farmers and eaters) today must learn how to let no more of that vital reservoir of knowledge slip away, while using seeds to grow and sell food.  Part of a series of handbooks on organic principles and practices published by NOFA, by Bryan Connolly with C.R. Lawn, 2005.  99 pp.