The Ecotype Project

In the Northeast The Seed Huntress has been leading The Ecotype Project for nearly a decade, mentoring organic farmers in the production of source identified, *provenanced plant genetic material (seeds) as a specialty crop. The aim of these efforts is to initiate local seed hubs or "seed-sheds" to amplify the amount of truly local seeds available ecoregionally for ecological restoration. This initiative to build seed literacy amongst a new cohort of growers lead to the germination of the farmer-led Northeast Seed Collective.  

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This work was done as this part of the country's answer to The National Seed Strategy. Sefra is a founding member, and sits on the steering committee of the Northeast Seed Network which Sefra has presented on at the National Native Seed Conference.

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*Provenanced seed refers to seeds collected from plants with a known, specific geographic origin (provenance), meaning their genetic makeup is adapted to that local environment, ensuring better survival and resilience for ecological restoration, forestry, or gardening. It's about knowing where the seed comes from (its "ancestral" location) to match the plant's traits to the planting site's conditions (soil, climate, light), promoting genetic diversity and successful growth. 

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