Current LSN Coordinators: Use your login at left to maintain your group's directory listing.

Find Local Seed Networks in Your State Choose a State and click "search"

- NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS NT ACT

Local Seed Network information

For many years, Seed Savers seed bank in Byron Bay has been the "centre" of the Seed Savers' Network, providing leadership, vision, enthusiastic energy and seeds to everyone who would listen and learn.

In 2002, the decision was made to change the format of the programme through a process of "decentralisation", i.e., encouraging people all across Australia to form their own seed saving networks and share in the responsibility and pleasure of promoting locally adapted seeds. The concept of "Local Seed Networks" was born.

By mid 2007 we had completed our five year plan towards the goal of setting up at least sixty Local Seed Networks (LSNs) and are well into the process of sending out all seeds in bulk from our central seed bank in Byron Bay to these Local Seed Networks.

If you're a committed seed saver, and have a mind for organisational protocols, we invite you to join us in this exciting and challenging journey. We send a Charter and Guidelines, as below, which outline what we offer and what we expect of a Local Seed Network. If you agree to this, we send a Questionnaire that prompts your group to decide on matters such as its name, its aims, where and how often it will meet and what its target audience might be. Seed Savers then sends a set of posters and pamphlets to you for promotion and sets up a webpage on this website for your LSN.

We have a vibrant, participatory network of networks all across the country. No matter where you live, there should be an active Local Seed Network near you. If not, please consider starting one up! Join us now and let's build a healthier future together!

What are Local Seed Networks?

A local seed network is a group of people who enjoy swapping seeds and cuttings as much as they enjoy sharing stories and good company. Many people have told us how much they have enjoyed getting together with other growers in their area, and suggested that we might help groups get started. The Local Seed Networks project is our way of sharing Seed Savers Network's knowledge, tools, and encouragement to anyone who wants to get seedy with their neighbours!

Why are Local Seed Networks important?

The basic answer to many of today's problems with poor-quality corporate-bred vegetables is quite simple: grow your own! If you're on this site, you probably are already a gardener and appreciate the tasty rewards of a simple kitchen garden.

Preserving local and traditional varieties is incredibly important. Local Seed Networks are an excellent way to help maintain healthy varities in our gardens and on our plates.

If you're interested in forming a local group, please email Loretta Faulkner at infoatseedsavers.net to help you get started.

Local Seed Network Charter

Inaugurated May 2004

Amended in March 2007

The purpose of this Charter is to provide a definition and set of guidelines for a Local Seed Network (LSN) that will help to direct their activities and also serve to unite LSNs under The Seed Savers' Network (SSN) banner with a shared vision and aims.

Definition of a Local Seed Network

A Local Seed Network is a group, registered with The Seed Savers' Network, of three or more people living in the same bioregion who swap seeds and planting material with the purpose of conserving open-pollinated varieties of food plants.

Aims

• To find, grow and distribute locally adapted seeds, particularly of vegetables and herbs as well as plants that are propagated by tubers, cuttings, rhizomes, bulbs, etc,

• To adapt new varieties to local conditions,

• To promote the practice of seed saving and the importance of conserving diversity in our food crops,

• To support other LSNs by sharing knowledge, skills, seeds and planting material.

Guidelines

As a Local Seed Network of The Seed Savers' Network, we ask that you:

• Focus your plant conservation efforts on open pollinated vegetable seeds and other culinary plants,

• Refrain from illegal or restricted plants,

• Establish your LSN as (or within) a non-profit organisation so that any revenue generated by your activities is directed back into your network rather than distributed amongst members,

• Behave in a cooperative, tolerant, inclusive and respectful manner to fellow members and other Local Seed Networks,

• Meet or run events at least three times each year,

• Sign up subscribers to The Seed Savers' Network, as below,

• Keep in regular contact with The Seed Savers' Network.

Subscribing to The Seed Savers’ Network

We like to keep costs down for LSNs while they are establishing themselves. Hence we ask that as a minimum, for the first year the coordinator of the LSN becomes a subscriber to Seed Savers; in the second year a second person subscribes and from the third year there is at least a third subscriber (including the coordinator). The cost is $30 for one year or $50 for two years subscription.

Support Offered by the Seed Savers' Network

The support the Seed Savers' Network offers includes:

Starter Kit

• a free web page on the Seed Savers website for LSNs to promote their activities and gain new members,

• a free set of a dozen seed saving posters,

• 100 page Local Seed Network Manual for $20 post paid with ideas and methods on how to run a local seed network

Ongoing Support

• general administration, including web site administration,

• technical advice on all aspects of the seed saving process and coordinating a seed network,

• publicity for LSNs around Australia through Seed Savers' public profile and media contacts,

• support visits to LSNs (to be arranged well in advance),

• back-up storage facilities for particularly vulnerable varieties,

• production of the bi-annual Seed Savers newsletter that has seed-related information and LSN activities.

Training

• Workshops by arrangement,

• Curricula for seed saving courses.

Provided LSN events are advertised as SSN events, our insurance covers events:

• public liability to $10m,

• product liability to $10m,

• on public land,

• volunteer workers compensation cover for all volunteers over the age of five.

Please phone to clarify before you run events. Copies of the insurance policy are available from SSN by email.

Resources at Bulk Prices

Seed Savers offers resources either for use by LSNs or for them to sell as income generation including:

• The Seed Savers' Handbook, $25 post paid ($15 for five or more copies),

• Local Seed Network Manual, $20 post paid ($15 for three or more copies),

• Seed to Seed, Food Gardens in Schools, 90 pages, $20 post paid ($15 for five or more copies),

• Silical gel ($14.30 for 450g bag),

• Posters of four designs, set of ten $20 posted in a tube (bulk prices available).

Promotional Materials

• posters for training and promotion,

• pamphlets for education and recruiting.

Bulk Seeds

• approximately twice a year we email you a list of our excess seeds,

• seeds are available any time for the cost of postage.

Actively Networking LSNs

We publicise Local Seed Networks in newspapers and magazines, on radio and TV and at conferences whenever possible. We also encourage organisations, multicultural, family or community groups that may be interested, or even active, in saving traditional varieties of food plants, to commence an LSN formally or to join with you.