conference
Speaker Bio
Will Bonsall, The Scatterseed Project
The Scatterseed Project is a program for preserving the diversity of our crop heritage. Worldwide, the genetic variability of nearly all plant species is dwindling at an alarming rate. Varieties which have been grown by farmers and gardeners for centuries are fast becoming extinct, and plant breeders and other crop workers believe this bodes ill for the future of agriculture everywhere. The Scatterseed Project was founded to help prevent such loss.
The Project is basically a one-man effort, supported completely by sample fees and contributions from others. It is by no means profit-making, but designed solely to serve the interests of those who till the soil. Species which cross-polinate are kept pure by isolation or hand-pollination. Clonal collections are presently being monitored for indication of viral infestation. Collections include most vegetables, legumes, small grains, and tree fruits, which are hardy or mature seed in our Maine season. At present there are between 2-3000 varieties in the Scatterseed collection.
SCATTERSEED IS NOT A SEED COMPANY, although in some ways it functions as one. Seeds are NOT available in quantity, but rather as small samples which the recipient is expected to further increase for personal use. We do not publish a catalog. All varieties available for distribution are listed in the annual Yearbook of the Seed Savers' Exchange (3076 North Winn Road, Decorah, IA 52101), under our code, ME/BO-W, along with description notes, how-to-obtain-seed, etc.
Will Bonsall, Director, Scatterseed Project, Box 1167, Farmington, ME 04938