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Thanks to all who contributed to a successful 2013 MOSES Conference!

Information on this page pertains to the 2013 event. Look for details in December about the 2014 MOSES Conference Feb. 27-March 1, 2014-- our 25th anniversary!

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2013 MOSES ORGANIC FARMING CONFERENCE
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6. Art and Science of Organic Seed Production
John Navazio and Nash Huber of Organic Seed Alliance

Quality seed production requires specialized knowledge and attention. Learn how to incorporate commercial seed production – from small grains, corn and beans as well as vegetables from A to Z – into your organic operation, or breed seed developed to perform well on your own farm. John Navazio, chief scientist at the Organic Seed Alliance and Nash Huber, a farmer with diverse seed crop experience will cover breeding methodologies with a focus on genetic resiliency, adaption to regional organic farming conditions and choosing for quality traits such as flavor and nutrition.

By integrating seed production into your operation, you build resiliency both from a production and economic standpoint. You can increase your marketing options by adding seeds to your offerings or focus on providing yourself with the seed that is best suited to your climate, soils and markets. Learn how to select for traits such as quality, ripening dates, size and storability through experimentation and observation. By understanding the intricacies of seeds, such as the difference between self pollinators and cross pollinating types, annual and biennial crops you can plan to maintain or improve the quality of the seed you produce. There will be discussion of the infrastructure and management needed to produce consistently high quality seed.

This course will provide the practical and scientific background you need in understanding seed biology basics, and how to troubleshoot and improve issues you may have with varieties you are currently growing. Beyond the selection, planting and growing process, care must also be taken in the timing and handling of the harvest as well as cleaning, sorting and storage of your seed to maintain optimal germination rates. Organic production has its own special challenge, and this course is taught by two pioneers in this important and emerging field. A free copy of the newly published book The Organic Seed Grower by John Navazio, will be provided as the companion resource book to each attendee of this class.

 

Presenters

John Navazio
John Navazio, Ph.D. is the Senior Scientist for Organic Seed Alliance and Extension Plant Breeding and Seed Specialist for Washington State University. John’s major duties with OSA include training farmers, university students and others in organic seed production and the fundamentals of participatory, on-farm plant breeding for organic systems. His breeding work includes increasing genetic breadth in a number of vegetable crops for their nutritional quality, flavor, texture, ability to scavenge nutrients, compete with weeds, and resist heat and drought. John develops participatory breeding projects with farmers across North America to improve crop germplasm for regional seed independence.


 

 


Nash Huber
Nash Huber founded Nash’s Organic Produce in 1979 and today farms about 400 acres organically. In addition to fruits and vegetables, he grows grains, seed, and some livestock, including hogs and chickens. He believes that soil is a living organism and if it is healthy, it will grow healthy plants. Therefore he relies on cover crops and compost to build soil fertility, and his livestock is free-range and pastured, adding to the nutrient cycle of the soils.