Casandra Fletcher, executive director of One Straw Society, says in light of the recent trade tariff threats from the US, seeds for growing food have never been more important.
“Grassroots community initiatives like seed-saving and seed-sharing are a great example of what ‘food resiliency’ means,” Fletcher told Coast Reporter in an email. “When the world goes sideways with pandemics, war and crippling trade tariffs, the power of ‘local,’ suddenly becomes clear. And when seed has been saved by a neighbour down the road, and shared with community to grow food in our own yards, this is food resiliency personified.”
With that important message in mind, the non-profit society is hosting numerous events and workshops now through April, to encourage both new and experienced growers to think about what they can do to increase their own food resiliency.
“As simple as it may be, this is the work that will save us and feed us,” says Fletcher.
To that end, Seeds of Spring is a series of community events focused on seeds, sustainable gardens, farms and food systems on the Coast.
Planned events include a seed exchange, markets, workshops, community gatherings and the big Seedy Saturday event, which takes place April 5 in Roberts Creek. Each event offers opportunities to connect with other garden enthusiasts and food producers on the Coast.
The Seeds of Spring events are hosted by One Straw Society in partnership with Sunshine Coast Botanical Garden, Xwesam-Roberts Creek Community Association, Sunshine Coast Seed Saving Collective and Seeds of Diversity.
Important dates
Workshop: Planning A Garden for Seed Saving
Feb 8: 10 to 11 a.m., Gibsons Public Library
Join the society as Stephanie Grindon from the Gibsons Seed Sharing Library, delivers a workshop on planning a garden, planting seeds and seed saving. After the presentation you’ll plant some seeds to take home. Hosted by the Sunshine Coast Seed Saving Collective and Gibsons Public Library.
The Seed Exchange
Feb 15: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Davis Bay Community Hall
A grass-roots way to give and get seeds that grow food, medicine and pollinator plants. There is no money exchanged — only seeds. Bring your dry, packaged seeds in labelled envelopes with seed name, variety, year harvested and quantity — and get ready to swap.
They trade open-pollinated, non-hybrid vegetable, fruit, herb or flower seeds. No GMO (genetically modified) or patented seed please. Hosted by One Straw Society and Sunshine Coast Seed Saving Collective.
Workshop is at 11 a.m. with the Soil Web with Many Microbes Soil Lab.
Seedy Saturday
April 5: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Roberts Creek Hall
A community market event celebrating seeds, gardening and sustainable agriculture. Across Canada, these gatherings feature seed swaps, workshops, markets and opportunities to connect with others passionate about growing and biodiversity.
One Straw’s first local Seedy Saturday took place off the back of Robin Wheeler’s truck in a Sechelt parking lot in 1994.
Other events with more information still to come, so save the date.
March 6: Gardening for Wildlife workshop
March 18: Mind & Soil workshop
March 22: Halfmoon Bay Nursery Market
March 23: Seed Talk workshop
April 5: Sechelt Seed Library Seed Exchange
For more information and workshop details, visit onestraw.ca/seeds.
