Seeds are precious because they contain the knowledge of how to live and propagate under most of the challenging conditions that earth, air, fire and water can create. Organic farmers (and all farmers and eaters) today must learn how to let no more of that vital reservoir of knowledge slip away, while using seeds to grow and sell food.

In the manual, Connolly ties in the goals of farming with the principles of genetics. He clarifies the biologic and economic differences between hybrid and open-pollinated seed, describe the most successful propagation techniques and offer tips for harvesting, preparing and storing the seed you've saved. They describe how to do a germination test before planting or selling.

Organic Seed Production and Saving importantly gives crop-family-by-crop-family advice and fascinating lore. In a section on commercial seed production and sales, it offers profiles of six seed companies, part of whose business is protecting the genetic heritage of the crop plant world. There is a list of seed sources and seed-saving references.

Bryan Connolly is a seed grower for Fedco and Baker Creek Seeds and an heirloom curcurbit and corn seed grower. He has worked locating heirloom varieties for seed sales. CR Lawn is founder of Fedco Seeds and heads the Restoring Our Seed project, which, like this NOFA Handbook Project, is supported by SARE. Restoring Our Seed sponsors conferences and creates printed materials about saving endangered seed.

Price: 7.95
Shipping/Handling: 2.00