Seedy Sunday talks programme 2012

Every year Seedy Sunday aims to provide a stimulating, challenging and entertaining series of talks during the day and this year we're very excited to have some great speakers joining us to discuss some very important topics. Whether you're interested in politics and campaigning or horticulture and sowing the seeds you've swapped, there are talks on this year's programme for everyone.  Each talk will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion. 

(Times and topics are subject to change - check the programme on the day for final details)

11.00     Crop varieties - why do gardens matter?        

 Bob Sherman, Chief Horticultural Officer , Garden Organic                                       
Gardeners play an important part in maintaining biodiversity because gardens, even highly managed ones, are very diverse in terms of habitats, types of plants, types of spaces. Gardens are also where you find most crop diversity. Farms are generally quite uniform with large areas of one variety of one crop; in gardens crops jostle one another, often more than one variety of a crop type in one bed. And next door the garden owner will be growing something quite different. The Heritage Seed Library exists because this crop diversity must be preserved to provide a source of material for future breeding, choice now and a link with our past. And that's why gardens and gardeners matter.

with        The Basics of Seed Saving             

Neil Munroe, Manager, Heritage Seed Library 

Why save seed and the basics of saving seed from vegetables.  This will outline the main principles with an introduction to some of the techniques.

11.40   Seeds of Activism : campaigning for the seeds, agricultural biodiversity and food sovereignty of the world’s majority food providers.  

Patrick Mulvany, Chair, UK Food Group

This session will explore how UK seed activists are contributing to the global movement for food sovereignty. 

Patrick Mulvany is Chair of the UK Food Group and focuses on food, biodiversity and technology issues in his work for Practical Action. Among others, he is an active participant in "Let's Liberate Diversity 2012", celebrating crofters’ seeds and breeds and Nyeleni Europe a forum for food sovereignty.

12.15 How to dry seeds from your garden and keep them alive  

Vanessa Sutcliffe, Training Specialist, Millennium Seed Bank

With an introduction to the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, a global seed-banking project that safeguards the largest wild plant species collection in the world, Vanessa will explain the scientific principles behind seed banking, in a digestible, practical way to allow gardeners to learn how to store their own seeds. Using simple procedures, seeds can be dried and cooled in order to keep them alive for many generations. 

Vanessa is Training Specialist at MSB, setting up and delivering seed conservation training to other seed banks around the world. She studied a Masters degree in Biological Diversity and has a background in working for local conservation organisations in the UK.

12.50         Setting up seed circles for Brighton

John Fryer, Whitehawk Community Food Project & Stanmer Organics

A session aimed at experienced gardeners wanting to grow quality seeds for swapping.

Short introduction followed by discussion

13.25  How to eat veg all year round                                              

Ruth Urbanowicz, Brighton and Hove Organic Gardening Group (BHOGG) and Brighton's Prizewinning organic gardener

 Learn how to have feast not famine - Planning the productive vegetable plot

14-00 Seedy Sunday’s very own Gardeners’ Question Time Panel

Chaired by  Alan Philips, Seedy Sunday & BHOGG

Panellists: Ruth Urbanowicz  from BHOGG, Paul Barney from Edulis Nursery and

Chris Pennard from Pennard Plants

15-00   Beekeeping          

Heather McNiven         experienced beekeeper from Brighton & Lewes Beekeeepers

Join the urban beekeeping movement, protect our endangered pollinators