Hit the Dirt; Native Seed Search

Hello and welcome once again to hit the dirt. This month I'm reviewing some particularly worthwhile sea companies whose catalogs you might want to include in your winter reading list. I say worthwhile because the seed sellers are nonprofit organizations who use the income they receive from our orders to address some important social environmental concerns. This week I'd like to discuss Native Seeds search an organization based in Tucson Arizona. Perhaps you heard Sheree Mason's interview with Gary Nabhan on the station a couple of weeks ago. Gary is the chairman and one of the co-founders of Native Seed Search. The group describes itself as a nonprofit seed conservation organization working to preserve the traditional crops and their wild relatives of the US southwest and northwest Mexico. We have a seed bank of traditional domesticated crops and some wild and weedy relatives of crops from this region. In addition we encourage farmers and gardeners to continue to plant and use the tree. These traditional crops within the region to which they are native. And in other areas where their adaptations are useful. I heard Gary Nabhan speak at the University

of Maine or know a few weeks ago and I was quite fascinated and impressed by his presentation of the good work his organization undertakes as well as the complexity of issues involved. While the group is a seed conservation organization they realize that in order for crops to be preserved the cultural context in which they have been maintained has to be preserved as well. Thus they not only seek out and collect seed to be stored and multiplied in their seed bank they also support the native peoples of the region and aid them in keeping their gardening and farming her teacher alive in the face of numerous developmental societal and environmental threats. Thus they offer seeds and other assistance free of charge to Native Americans who wish to grow their traditional crops. Their catalog is very different from any other I've seen. It clearly reflects the focus of the organization. For example whereas most seed catalogs print symbols next to varieties indicating that it is easy to grow or does well in greenhouses or is adapted to cool weather in short seasons this catalog only assembles for whether a particular variety is

suitable for a low desert plant or high desert planting or both. No I don't know of too many deserts here in Maine. But don't let that dissuade you from checking out the seed listing for Native Seed Search. Although all of the crops they sell. Were developed in the arid Southwest a number of them will be fine even in a relatively white climate. Devil's claw peppery beans wild gourds and panic grass among some of the offerings that you probably won't find anywhere else. It is fascinating just to thumb through the pages reading about these strange crops and their traditional uses. Plus the catalog is filled with lots of information about the cultural heritage from whence the seeds originated. A map descriptions of the Indian tribes native to the greater Southwest recipes and cultural instructions all make for a wonderful lesson in agricultural socio geography. In addition to the seeds the catalogue offers a good selection of publications mostly focusing on seed conservation and desert agriculture as well as hand woven baskets

dyes and food herbs and spices. So for those of you looking to plant something out of the ordinary We're just eager to learn more about the crops and traditions of a different region. I heartily recommend sending away for Native Seed Search catalogue the addresses Native Seeds search. That's a capital S A R C H 2 5 0 9 North Campbell Avenue number 3 25 Tucson Arizona 8 5 7 1 9. Once again the address is Native Seeds slash search 2 5 0 9 North Cambell Avenue number 3 25 Tucson Arizona 8 5 7 1 9. Personally I'm excited to try growing some peppery beans and devil called plants next year. After learning about Native Seed Search and reading their catalog I only wish there were more groups like them throughout the many different regions of our diverse planet. At least I can be glad that

my purchases will help them in their worthy endeavors will join me next week for a look at yet another noteworthy nonprofit mail order company. Bye for now. And happy growing.