b'SEED SEEKERS, SEED KEEPERS,SEED GROWERSNo matter the role, preservation is a priority. Barb Baylor AndersonTHE CONVERSATION SURROUNDINGseed saving is as diverse, and sometimes as controversial, as the day is long. But todays seed seekers, seed keepers and seed growers seem to all agree that regardless of their individual seed saving rea-sons, preservation of culture, diversity and nutrition are critical to the future of various food production systems in communities around the world.According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, more than 6,000 plant species have been culti-vated for food, but less than 200 make major food production contributions and only nine account for two-thirds of global crop production. So, what are the best ways to preserve seed to meet each segment of a growing populations future needs?To maintain genetic diversity that is preserved and still being developed by Indigenous people, we need to support, acknowl-edge and invite these original inventors into the crop develop-ment process, says Saarah Kuzay, University of California Davis horticulture and agronomy PhD candidate. The technology, tools and methods we have now will allow us to make advances in plant breeding faster, but it is contingent on having access to quality raw materialwild ancestors, landraces and native crops developed by Indigenous people. Modern technologies are useless without genetically diverse crop sources and their crop ancestors.Claire Luby leads a community-based research project to improve seed sovereignty for Native Americans in Wisconsin.Preservation for LegacyUse of ancient seeds for food goes hand in hand with manyNative seed keepers are increasingly in search of more of their Indigenous cultures and ceremonies. Seed is considered sacredancestral seeds. As seed is found, seed keepers are tasked with by those who grow it, and an increasing desire for such heirloompreserving as many varieties as they can.crops to be grown every year exists to sustain both seed avail- Some Native American nations and the Indigenous Seed ability and its biodiversity. Keepers Network have collaborated with the University of Collection and maintenance of ancestral seeds is so impor- Wisconsin to develop the Inter-tribal Seed Stewardship Program, tant. Seed saving allows Indigenous communities to be inwhich aims to develop cohorts of seed stewardship leaders who connection with their ancestors and with future generations. Incan become resources within their communities. The Indigenous addition, it is a tool to teach future generations, says SamanthaSeed Keepers Network is one of the organizations that is sup-Hilborn, University of California Davis masters student in hor- porting a growing seed sovereignty movement across North ticulture and agronomy and member of Laguna an AcomaAmerica through mentorship and education. pueblos in New Mexico. Seed saving is part of a larger wheel ofClaire Luby, University of Wisconsin horticulture assistant faculty Indigenous knowledge that includes traditional farming practicesassociate, leads community-based research focused on improving and ecological knowledge. seed sovereignty for Native American tribes in that state.58/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2020'