The Organic Seed Partnership is part of a continuing effort to improve the organic vegetable seed supply by increasing grower involvement in all stages of the breeding and seed production processes. The project is termed a “partnership” because it involves a consortium of farmer groups, public-sector breeding programs, and interested seed companies from across the country. In the Northeast, breeders at Cornell University and the Plant Genetic Resources Unit, USDA-ARS, at Geneva are working closely with NOFA-NY on the project.

For the 2005 growing season, farmers were offered a choice of close to 200 vegetable varieties for evaluation on their farms. These varieties were selected for their potential to perform well under organic management. Seed was supplied by eight companies (Fedco, High Mowing, Johnny’s, Rupp, Seeds of Change, Seeds by Design, Territorial, and Turtle Tree) and three public-sector entities: Cornell University, Oregon State University, and USDA-ARS at Salinas, CA.

Around 80 NOFA-NY growers requested seed, resulting in over 165 vegetable varieties being trialed this season. Cooperators are spread across 35 counties in New York and four counties in Pennsylvania. Seed of lettuce, winter squash, and tomato varieties was most frequently requested, but there was also strong interest in carrot, cucumber, spinach, broccoli, and pepper cultivars.

In additional to trialing established varieties, NOFA-NY growers also volunteered to work with experimental material. Popular projects include improving the disease resistance, growth habit, and yield of Costata Romanesca zucchini (6 growers); testing stringless snap pea lines (6 growers); selecting for an excellent OP broccoli (5 growers); and developing early-maturing, good-tasting OP bell peppers for the Northeast (4 growers).

OSP activities will continue through the summer and fall with a series of on-farm workshops and tours (see list of activities below) that provide opportunities for growers to assess for themselves variety performance and the results of breeding projects. Project partners at these events will also provide hands-on training in breeding techniques and demonstrations on seed cleaning, and will get an update on growers’ breeding needs.

It is still not too late to order seeds from the project! Lettuce, broccoli, chard, and pea varieties are available for growing as late summer and fall crops. Additional offerings of both established varieties and new experimental material should also be available in late 2005 or early 2006.

To order seed, suggest varieties for trialing next year, discuss possible breeding projects, or receive further information on OSP activities, contact Elizabeth Dyck (1124 County Rd 38, Bainbridge, NY 13733, 607-895-6913). More information on the project can also be found on the OSP website, through a link on the NOFA-NY website.