Organic Seed Growers Conference 2014, Selected Live Broadcasts

The recordings from the webinar broadcast are available at the links to the presentations below, or watch the YouTube playlist.

Download the conference proceedings from the Seed Alliance website

Organic Seed Growers' Conference Webinar Broadcast Recordings

Friday January 31, 2014
9:00-10:30AM:  Session I: Why Organic Seed Matters and How to Meet the Demand

Organic seed that meets the diverse agronomic challenges and market needs of organic farmers is fundamental to their success and the food system they supply. The organic community has seen tremendous progress in the expansion of organic seed availability. Still, most organic farmers are planting non-organic seed. This session will focus on improving access to, and the use of, organic seed. Topics will include the importance of organic seed in the context of organic integrity and the principle of continual improvement, the 2013 NOP guidance document on organic seed, and demonstrations of new tools and resources.

Theresa Podoll, Prairie Road Organic Seed. Watch
Erica Renaud, Vitalis Organic Seeds. Watch
Zea Sonnabend, CCOF and National Organic Standards Board. Watch (Note, there are no slides with this presentation)
Chet Boruff, Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA)  Watch

Welcome Address by Micaela Colley: Innovation in the Field. Watch

Friday January 31, 2014
1:00-3:30PM Pacific Time,Research Update: Small Grains and Corn

The scientific field of organic plant breeding continues to expand. This session will give an overview of innovative organic research being conducting today in small grains and sweet corn. Hear reports from six researchers and participate in the question and answer.
Hannah Walters, Seed Matters Graduate Student, Washington State Unviersity. Watch
Brook Brouwer, Seed Matters Graduate Student, Washington State University. Watch
Jonathan Spero, Lupine Knoll Farm. Watch
Amadeus Zschunke, Sativa Rheinau. Watch
Lisa Kissing Kucek, Cornell University. Watch
Adrienne Shelton, Graduate Student, University of Wisconsin Madison. Watch

Friday, January 31, 2014
3:30-5:00PM Pacific Time:  Session III: Research Update: Vegetable Crops

There are exciting advances in breeding vegetables for organic production systems. This session will give an overview of innovative organic research being conducting today in vegetable crops. Hear reports from six researchers.
Phil Simon, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Watch
Laurie McKenzie, Organic Seed Alliance. Watch
John Navazio, Organic Seed Alliance. Watch
Lori Hoagland, Purdue University. Watch
Michael Mazourek, Cornell University. Watch

Saturday, February 1, 2014
9:00-10:30AM Pacific Time: Session I: Unpacking the Cell Fusion Debate

Last year the National Organic Program (NOP) clarified its position on the use of cell fusion in organic seed production, drawing attention to an ongoing debate involving what should and should not be an excluded method in the organic standards. This session will include both technical and philosophical discussion on the current use of cell fusion in organic seed development, the NOP’s current policy, and what different breeding methods mean for the organic movement and biodiversity.

John Navazio, Organic Seed Alliance. Watch.
Jodi Lew-Smith, High Mowing Organic Seeds. Watch
Jim Myers, Oregon State University. Watch
Zea Sonnabend, CCOF and National Organic Standards Board. Watch. No slides with this presentation

11AM Pacific: Keynote Address by Tom Stearns of High Mowing Seeds. Watch

Saturday, February 1, 2014
1:30-3:00PM Pacific Time: Session II: Pollinator Conservation Strategies for Organic Seed Producers

This session will support organic seed producers with the latest science-based information on maximizing crop yields through the conservation of native pollinators, while at the same time helping them to reduce the risk of outcrossing with non-organic crop varieties. Specific topics include the ecology of specialty seed crop pollinating insects, foraging behaviors and flight range of key native bee groups (and the impact of those foraging ranges on crop isolation), bee-friendly farming practices, development of pollinator habitat on working farms, accessing USDA technical and financial resources for pollinator conservation, and more.

Eric Mader, The Xerces Society. Watch

Saturday, February 1, 2014
3:30-5:00PM Pacific Time: Session III: Managing Seed-Borne Diseases in Seed Production


Production of high-quality, pathogen-free seed is particularly important in organic seed crops given the very limited chemical options available for certified organic production, and the risk of producing and distributing contaminated seed lots. Learn about managing diseases in seed production with various research examples from the vegetable seed crop pathology program at Washington State University, and hot water treatment for seed-borne diseases.

Jodi Lew-Smith, High Mowing Organic Seeds. Watch
Lindsey du Toit, Washington State University Mount Vernon Research & Extension Center. Watch
 

 


 

 

 

 

Published December 16, 2013

This is an eOrganic article and was reviewed for compliance with National Organic Program regulations by members of the eOrganic community. Always check with your organic certification agency before adopting new practices or using new materials. For more information, refer to eOrganic's articles on organic certification.