In collaboration with the local UW-Extension office and horticulturalists from UW-Madison, College of Menominee Nation (CMN) staff worked to identify seeds that were native to the area, as well as heirloom and organic for CMN’s community garden, plant giveaway, and seed giveaway. Many of the seeds had a story that related to the Menominee Tribe or the state of Wisconsin. The plan was to continue to be selective with regard to saving these special seed varieties. In order to procure these seeds, we used three seed vendors: Seed Savers Exchange (SSE), High Mowing Organic Seeds, and Nature and Nurture Seeds. To preserve seeds long-term, the environment must be cool, dry, and dark. Using grant funding, we purchased a freezer, silica gel packets, and sealed jars of varying sizes. Seeds are stored best between 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and adding a silica gel packet to each seed jar absorbs moisture within the jar that could otherwise damage the seeds’ viability. Created in the fall of 2019, the seed bank— located within the CMN’s department of continuing education— included seeds saved from the CMN campus garden and seeds from reputable seed-sharing organizations such as Seed Savers Exchange. SSE, in particular, preserves rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties of seeds. In addition to preserving rare, Indigenous, and/or regionally specific vegetable varieties, we will use these seeds to supplement our annual community seed giveaway event and campus garden at CMN.
Plant Hardiness Map
Are there local gardeners that are known seed keepers in your community?
Do you use Non-GMO, open-pollinated seeds?
Is there a seed bank or seed library in your community?
How are people currently exchanging seeds within your community?
Files:
How to do a Germination Test (pdf)
Overstreet Publication (pdf)
68
Powered by FlippingBook