Upcoming seed programs
Open Sesame
Central Coast Bioneers and the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival are teaming up once again on a screening of “Open Sesame: The Story of Seeds,” a feature documentary by M. Sean Kaminsky. The film will be shown at 7:00 on Wednesday, October 15 at the Palm Theater.
One of the world’s most precious resources is at risk and most people don’t know that is happening or what to do. This groundbreaking documentary will help others learn what is at stake and what can be done to protect the source of nearly all our food: SEEDS.
While the price of gold and oil skyrockets the fate of our most priceless commodity is ignored. Seeds provide the basis for everything from fabric, to food to fuels. Seeds are as essential to life as the air we breathe or water we drink…but given far less attention. In the last one hundred years 94 percent of open pollinated fruit and vegetable varieties vanished. Seeds that were lovingly nurtured over decades or even hundreds of years are gone forever. We desperately need diversity in a changing climate.
Over the past one hundred years, seeds have steadily shifted from being common heritage to sovereign property. Large corporations are stealing seed varieties from under us by slowly patenting them. In this film you’ll meet a diverse range of individuals whose lives center around seeds. Farmers. Renegade gardeners. Passionate seed savers. Artists. Seed activists. The most innovative thinkers and consciousness raisers of our generation. This documentary takes viewers on a journey to experience the story of seeds like no other.
Tickets are available in advance ($10 adults, $8 students and SLOIFF members) or at the door.
7th Annual SLO Seed Exchange
The SLO Seed Exchange will hold its annual exchange event on Saturday, October 4 from 3-7 pm at the SLO Grange, 2880 Broad Street. From 3-5 pm there will be demonstrations by local businesses and organizations on uses for organic seed and a community seed exchange. Doug Heath, Senior Tomato Breeder from Bejo Seeds will give a talk starting at 5:00 on “Perspectives on the Vegetable Seed Business,” followed by a social hour at 6:00. Participating businesses include the Central Coast Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers, Black Diamond Vermi-Compost, SLO Natural Foods Co-op, All Good/Elemental Herbs, Toro Creek Brewing Co. and One Cool Earth. Jesse Arnold will grind corn flour and Russ Hodin will make corn tortillas. More information at www.facebook.com/sloseedexchange. Or call (805) 543-5364
