Hello Gardeners!
Just a quick note about some upcoming webinars of interest.
Events
Seed Rematriation Webinars from Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange is excited to announce the first seed rematriation webinar of a four-part series. This series will highlight 2021-2022 seed rematriation work with seven partners funded through a North Central SARE Partnership grant awarded to Seed Savers Exchange. Join us to learn how Indigenous farmers, activists, communities, and nations are welcoming seeds home to grow and share.
Our first webinar will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2022, from 1 - 2 PM Central Time (US). Find your time zone. This webinar is open to the public. Space is limited for the live event, but the event will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers. Even if you are unable to join us live you will be able to watch it at your own convenience.
Seed rematriation addresses the desire for Indigenous communities to actively reclaim their ancestral seeds and traditions. Moderated by Shelley Buffalo, this session features panelists Dr. Rebecca Webster and Kellie Zahn sharing information on
Shelley Buffalo recently served her community in coordinator roles at Red Earth Gardens and the Meskwaki Food Sovereignty Initiative. She continues to advocate for food sovereignty and local foods through her personal consultancy, networks, and partnerships. She is an advocate for land back, Indigenous food ways, food justice, and rematriation. A mother of two sons, Shelley made a living as a house painter and graphic artist before finding her passion in farming and seed saving.
Kellie Zahn is the agriculture agent at the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, located in Bowler, Wisconsin, where she manages four community gardens totaling over two acres of growing space. The tribe started the Agriculture Department in 2016, and Kellie has served as the agriculture agent since that time. Kellie earned a degree in agricultural business from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and is a certified crop advisor.
Dr. Rebecca Webster is an enrolled citizen of the Oneida Nation and an assistant professor in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her research interests focus on tribal governance and food sovereignty. Her philosophy is that every time an Indigenous person plants a seed, that is an act of resistance, an assertion of sovereignty, and a reclamation of identity. With this in mind, an Oneida faithkeeper named the Webster family’s 10-acre homestead Ukwakhwa: Tsinu Niyukwayayʌthoslu (our foods: where we plant things).
University of MN Webinars for Families
Join UMN Extension for a webinar series for families to learn more and take actions for global health and wellness. Learn about ways to eat healthier for the planet, including reducing food waste, composting and reducing your family's carbon footprint. Learn hands-on activities for all ages that promote wellness through being in nature.
The 6-webinar series kicks-off with an introduction to forest bathing on January 27!
Future Seed Talks via Zoom, all at 6:30pm
Mar 8, 2022 Tues How to Start Seeds
Learn all the ins and outs of starting vegetable and flowers seeds.
Update on Seeds
The native plant seeds drawers are bursting. From now through January is a great time to start stratifying native plant seeds. You can do that either by sowing directly outside now, using the winter sowing method or by sowing in pots you place outside all winter. Check out the Joe Gardner’s podcast for information on this method here.
The full list of native seeds is here.
Or see links to all the available seeds on the blogsite. Look on the right hand side.
How to Get Free Seeds
There are many more native plant, flower and tomato seeds available now. There are over 91 varieties of native plant seeds! You can access the seed packets during regular library hours. The Seed Library table is to the right as you come through the double doors. (White Bear Lake library, 2150 2nd St, White Bear Lake; M: 10-8, T, W: 1-8, Th, F, Sa: 10-5)
You can find the current list of available seeds on the Seed Library website at Seed Library site. Or a less than current paper list on the Seed Library table in the library.
If you can’t find the seeds you’re looking for please let me know via email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com and I’ll get you the seeds if they are available.
Seeds Needed
The seed library is short on tomato, bean, lettuce and pea seeds. The seed library welcomes any seed donations of non-hybrid, non-cross-pollinated seeds. Place dry seeds in a paper envelope with the name of seed, year and location on the envelope. Drop off in the bin on the seed library table in the library during open hours.
Volunteer Opportunity
Help package seeds for the seed library. If interested, send me an email and I’ll get you seeds, supplies and instructions. You package the seeds and return them to the seed library table.
Contact info for the Seed Library:
Email: wblseedlibrary@gmail.com
Blog site: WBL Seed Library
Pam
