Local Seed Group Sells Across Canada

Local Seed Group Sells Across Canada CROPS Miscellaneous Superior Seed Producers SSP started as a source for locally saved seeds but now sells seeds nationwide “Most of our sales are still local but we’ve sold seed from the Maritimes to British Columbia ” says Evalisa McIllfaterick Superior Seed Producers member They were helped by the Bauta Family Initiative For Canadian Seed Security “Our first-year seed sales were around $1 000 In 2020 it was more than $20 000 ” The half dozen members of the co-op save seeds from more than 50 plant varieties grown in their own gardens Some of them have been saving particular seeds for as many as 50 years while others like McIllfaterick are newer The group meets monthly but the April meeting is when they discuss who is saving what for the coming year “We try to make sure we aren’t saving too many of the same thing ” says McIllfaterick She operates Root Cellar Gardens a local CSA “I grow around 40 different varieties of plants including four or five flowers ” says McIllfaterick “I grow on a bigger scale than most of the members so I try to fill in the gap on more popular seeds like carrots and beets ” In addition to her own favorites McIllfaterick finds herself a caretaker of another’s saved seed “I inherited a zucchini grown by another member for more than 40 years ” she says McIllfaterick goes beyond saving seeds to breeding and adapting seeds to northwest Ontario’s short seasons wet springs and early frosts She is currently at work on a watermelon as well as trying new varieties SSP Seed packets are priced at $4 each Seed producers receive $2 for each packet of their seed sold The remainder goes to Roots to Harvest a local non-profit “Roots to Harvest manages our financials packaging and distribution ” explains McIllfaterick “They produce some seed work with community members in their gardens and employ young people year-round ” Seeds can be purchased online or through Roots to Harvest They are also listed on Seeds of Diversity’s website listing of small Canadian seed companies Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Roots to Harvest 450 Fort William Rd Thunder Bay Ontario Canada P7B 2Z6 ph 807-285-0189; superiorseedproducers@gmail com; www superiorseedproducers wordpress com; www r2hshop ca; www seeds ca

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