The Utopian Seed Project is a hands in the earth non-profit committed to trialing crops and varieties in the Southeast to support and Celebrate diversity in food and farming. OUR VISION is an engaged community of growers, gardeners, farmers, foodies, cooks and chefs (actually, everyone) WHO embrace regional biodiversity for a resilient and delicious food and farming system.
OUR WORK
THe Experimental Farm
We growing many different things in Western North Carolina to explore what could be grown in a more diverse food and farming system. In our farm work we explore emerging crops for this region as well as variety trials for traditional crops. Diversity and experimentation is at our core!
Crop Stories
Crop Stories is our way of speaking about, educating and celebrating the crops that we are working with. Crop Stories includes a crop-specific event series, a crop-specific magazine and a supporting podcast, with a high degree of synergy between these three platforms.
The People's Seed
The People’s Seed allows us to keep seeds front and center of our work, knowing that seed sovereignty is critical to sustainable and equitable food systems. We engage in education and community outreach, as well as our own seed saving, plant breeding and regional adaptation work.
Support @sistahseeds - East coast small farmer grown first year catalog launch with some great seed selection. Especially the West African Okra π
"Sistah Seeds grows heirloom vegetable, herb and grain seeds from across the African Diaspora, with a focus on African-American, Afro-Caribbean, and West African cultural crops."
Web link via @sistahseeds
#seeds #seedgrower #seedgrowing #seedkeeping
A beautiful tribute to @ira.wallace of @southernexposureseed in the @nytimes this morning.
Ira has been so supportive of the Utopian Seed Project and my (Chris Smith) work over the years. Godmother of southern seeds is definitely fitting π
Exciting to see Puerto Rico Everblush highlighted as well as @heirloomcollards
Share this far and wide so that everyone knows Ira's name and her important work!
Thanks to @awaytogarden for writing. Article link in our bio.
#seeds #seedsaving #southernseeds #heirloomcollards #heirloomseeds #heirlooms
Just wanted to say, we π collards π
#collards
Taking the Winnow Wizard for a test run!
#okra #okraseed #seedsaving
Had a blast talking #heirloomcollards with @bonnettaadeeb at the @vabfarming conference π
#collards
This is exciting. Winnow Wizard delivery for the emerging WNC Seed Growers Collective π
One of the last models made by @luterra.ent
Thanks to @sowtrueseed for taking delivery.
#seedcleaning
This cow wanted to let you know we've just set up Venmo for donations, which is great timing for end of year philanthropy π
Venmo: utopianseedproject
#communitysupported
We're giving away a bundle of all seven issues of Crop Stories (which is pretty special because there are only 4 copies left of Hogs (issue 6)).
1. Follow @utopianseedproject and @cropstories
2. Tag two friends who love food and farming (and reading!)
I'm going to randomly pick a winner on Christmas Eve.
Also, today is the last day to support our end of year fundraiser - any and all amounts appreciated!
#cropstories #collards #contest #entertowin
Saving squash seeds with a shop vac, so satisfying π
Big thanks to @warrenwilsoncollege students for helping out.
This is a winter squash grown for @twoseedsinapod - Armut, meaning Pear.
#seseed #seedsaving #seedgrowing #seedgrower #squashseed #seeds #seedcleaning
Bundle and save with the entire Crop Stories Collection (minus issue 6, which is almost sold out). Issues 1 through 5 plus Collards (Issue 7). Crop Stories started out as a production of the Athens Farmers Market under the leadership of Andre Gallant. In issue 4 and 5 of Crop Stories, Keia Mastrianni joined the team as deputy editor and the magazines almost double in length. In 2022 The Utopian Seed Project inherited Crop Stories and published the seventh issue of Crop Stories: Collards with guest editor, Dr. Cynthia Greenlee.
The titles include Blueberries (70 pages), Winter Squash (86 pages), Radishes (86 pages), Sweet Potatoes (146 pages), Greens (136 pages) and Collards (88 pages). Each issue is a beautiful full color collection of essay, photography and recipes.
FREE Shipping (USA Only) | Back stock β limited supply
#cropstories #collards #magazine #farm #food
The Experimental Farm Notebook
We’ll be publishingΒ updates throughout the growing season so you can stay up to date with what we’re up to and how the experiments are going. This will be an informal narrative of our highs and lows, successes and failures, with photos and fun facts!
Thanks to our Sustaining Sponsors
