The USDA, ARS - Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva, NY continues to conduct workshops and provide training opportunities in seed production and seed cleaning to small-scale seed companies and regional growers.

We are currently working on a list seed processing workshops for 2007. We will have them posted to the Calendar of Events as soon as possible, so check back often.

What is the Mobile Seed Processing Unit??

The mobile seed processing unit is a 7 x 10 trailer that houses several pieces of mechanical seed cleaning equipment but also has many hand cleaning devices. For the past 5 years, this unit has traveled across the Northeast to small and medium-sized organic farms to train interested farmers and small-scale organic seed companies in various techniques to process seed for either their own use or for commercial sales. Expert seed cleaners from the USDA's Plant Genetic Resources Unit (a seed repository for the National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation - formerly the National Seed Storage Laboratory) accompany this unit to each location to train and answer questions concerning seed production and seed cleaning. Training can occur in half or whole day sessions and can be scheduled to coinside with OSP variety trial evaluations and/or OSP Plant Breeding Workshops. If you are interested in hosting a workshop, please contact Teri Ferrin (315-787-2396)

The Organic Seed Partnership is funded through the USDA Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (Award No. 2004-51300-02229).