FARMINGTON – The Farmington Seed Savers Group will hold its 3RD annual winter conference on Feb. 2, 2013 at UMF Roberts Hall, 12:30-5 pm, open and free to the public, donations accepted. This exciting event is a rare opportunity to meet new people, learn more about what is happening in your community and in the world of seeds.
Welcome and registration starts at 12:30 at Roberts Learning Center, Auditorium, Lower Level, Rm 023. Seating is limited.
From 1-2 p.m. keynote speaker C. R. Lawn, Founder of FEDCO Seeds, will discuss the state of the seed industry, current challenges and how these relate to individuals who save seeds.
There are two workshop sessions. Attendees can choose one workshop per session.
Session 1 will be from 2:15-3:30 p.m. Mark Hutton, PhD, UMO, Assistant Professor of Vegetable Crops, will explore the topic of “Seed Health, Quality, and Storage.” Will Bonsall, seed curator and founder of the Scatterseed Project, will discuss “Maine’s Heirloom Seed Heritage.”
Session II will be from 3:45 -5 p.m. Dave Fuller, Agriculture and Non-Timber Forest Product Professional for the UMaine Cooperative Extension, will teach “Growing Better Garlic Crops.” Amy LeBlanc, a MOFGA certified organic farmer, will discuss “Small Scale Seed Saving: Preserving Unique and Historic Food Crops.” Jon Thurston, educator at the Ecology Academy, Troy Howard Middle School in Belfast will present “Seed Saving: the Ultimate Teaching Opportunity” and describe a model school gardening program.
Coffee and tea will be served during registration. The snow date is Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013.
Detailed brochures with more information can be picked up at the Saturday Farmers’ Market at the West Farmington Grange, the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or the Better Living Center. You may also call 831-9384.
