Seedy Saturday returns this weekend

The 14th annual Seedy Saturday in Penticton takes place this Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the Jim Pattison Centre for Excellence at Okanagan College.

It features several organic and ngmo seed vendors, as well as a number of the South Okanagan’s farmers and food producers normally found at the Penticton, Naramata and Summerland farmers’ markets.

Local honey, juices, organic cheeses and a growing variety of gluten-free products will also be available.

A popular feature of Seedy Saturday is a seed swap table, where a wide variety of seeds are offered free to the public. People are encouraged to bring extra seeds to share.

“Nature is incredibly generous” said organizer Laurel Burnham. “We should follow that example.”

This year, there is an opportunity for the public to participate for the first time in citizen seed trials. Sponsored by FarmFolk/City Folk and VanCity Credit Union, free lettuce seeds will be available with information on seeding, growing and tracking the results.

Sharing information about seeds, small scale agriculture and horticulture is an important part of Seedy Saturday.

“There is increasing public interest in the quality and availability of locally grown and harvested vegetables and fruit. Seeds are at the heart of food security for all communities,” Burnham said.

Four free workshops will be offered during the event, including Heirloom and Heritage Seeds/Why they are important with Chris Matheison from the Grist Mill in Keremeos, Permaculture in the South Okanagan with Rick Hatch from Cherrytree Permaculture, Fermented Foods and Beyond with Raina Lutz and Success with Seeds by Shirley Wells from Laughing Swan Seeds in Kamloops.

Also on hand will be master gardeners, who are available to provide more free information on gardening related questions and topics of interest.

Seedy Saturday in Penticton is part of a national movement of locally and regionally organized Seedy Saturdays and Sundays, supported through a national organization known as Seeds of Diversity. More than 200 Seedy events will be held this year.

In 1988, Sharon Rempel, an agronomist working at the Grist Mill in Keremeos, wanted to find period-appropriate heritage vegetable, flowers and wheat for the heritage gardens growing there. The only source available to her at that time was the Abundant Life Seed Foundation in Washington. The first Seedy Saturday event was organized by Rempel at the VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver in the spring of 1990. The events have since spread right across Canada, and are now part of communities in every province.

Parking is free at Okanagan College on the weekends, and a $2 donation per adult at the door (kids free) will be going toward the Naramata Farmer’s Market and Seeds of Diversity.

For more information call 250-460-0177.