Cherokee hosts heritage seed workshop
File photo
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Extension office is hosting a workshop to teach people about the preservation of heirloom seeds.
Heirloom seeds help to ensure future generations maintain a reliable food supply, support financial self-reliance, preserve agricultural heritage and reflect cultural traditions.
This half-day workshop on the practice of seed saving will be led by Chris Smith from the Utopian Seed Project and Mary Thompson from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Attendees will hear an introduction to seed saving and how to increase income from seed sales and will experience a demonstration of Utopian Seed Project’s Mobile Seed Processing Unit.
Mary Thompson will share her seed-saving experience, related pottery and issues surrounding tribal food security and sovereignty. Presenters will also cover technical aspects and considerations of seed saving; implications of climate change on seed saving and enterprise budget development for profitable seed saving.
The event will be held from 1-4 p.m. March 25 at 876 Acquoni Road in Cherokee.
To register for this free event, call the Southwestern Community College Small Business Center at 828.339.4426. For questions, call Extension Agent Eric Mullen at 828.359.6928 or EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems Director Laura Lauffer at 828.359.6936.
