Preservation of heirloom seeds helps to ensure future generations maintain a reliable food supply, supports financial self-reliance, preserves agricultural heritage, and reflects cultural traditions. This half-day workshop on the practice of seed saving will be led by Chris Smith from the Utopian Seed Project and Mary Thompson from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Attendees will hear an introduction to Seed Saving and how to increase income from seed sales and will experience a demonstration of Utopian Seed Project’s Mobile Seed Processing Unit. Mary Thompson will share her seed-saving experience, related pottery, and issues surrounding tribal food security and sovereignty. Presenters will also cover Technical Aspects and Considerations of Seed Saving, Implications of Climate Change on Seed Saving, and Enterprise Budget Development for Profitable Seed Saving.

Cost: No Charge

To Register: Seeds for Success or call Southwestern Community College Small Business Center at 828 339-4426

Questions: Call EBCI Extension Agent Eric Mullen, 828-359-6928 or EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Director, Laura Lauffer, 828-359-6936

This workshop is a collaboration between the NC Cooperative Extension – Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Office, EmPOWERING Mountain Food Systems & Utopian Seed Project, supported in part by the Southwestern Community College Small Business Center.

ABOUT N.C. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

North Carolina Cooperative Extension is a strategic partnership of NC State Extension, The Cooperative Extension Program at N.C. A&T State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), and local government partners statewide. Extension delivers research-based education and technology from NC State and N.C. A&T that enriches the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. Extension professionals in all 100 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee provide educational programs specializing in agriculture, youth, communities, health and the environment.

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, political beliefs, family and marital status, sex, age, veteran status, sexual identity, genetic information or disability. NC State, N.C. A&T, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.