The Local Seeds Coalition Launches and Join Us For a Free Webinar
The Local Seeds Coalition
Exciting news! Thanks to a generous Going to Seed funder, we’re launching a new coalition project to bring seed people and organizations together to collaborate on public-facing outreach. The goal is to co-create open-source, adaptable materials that help us better connect with folks who aren’t yet seed-aware—and ensure that local, regionally adapted seeds are part of the broader local food movement.
In this first phase, we’re reaching out across the seed world to learn what’s already happening and where the biggest needs and opportunities are. We’re lucky to have Toby Cain—an experienced organizer with a strong seedy background—helping lead the work.
Last week, the emerging coalition team sent out an invitation to join, volunteer, and take part in deeper conversations (you probably got that email). The response has been amazing: over 93 people offered to volunteer, and more than 100 signed up to be interviewed.
We’re so excited and grateful to be part of this growing movement. If you’d like to get involved, visit localseeds.org and fill out the form!
Upcoming Webinar
In our next webinar on June 4th, from 5-6 PM PDT, we will feature Noel of Homestead Culture on his family’s journey from homesteading to selling seeds part time. He’ll share insights and small-scale practices that helped them dive into selling seeds. Bring your questions, and in the Q&A, we'll explore the path to small-scale seed sharing and selling. Register Here (free).
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| Noel and his partner, Ann, holding watermelons they grew on their homestead. |
We Welcome Rachel Laase to the GTS Team
Rachel is in her 8th season of farming and is a lover of soil, seeds, and all that blooms. She grew up spending weekends in the garden with her Father but got her start as a full-time farmer when she moved up to Mendocino County to work for John Jeavons at Ecology Action. After several seasons at Ecology Action, she spent two seasons working for Open Circle Seeds, growing for commercial contracts as well as for their own small retail seed company. During her time at the farm, she began learning and experimenting with adaptive breeding and instantly fell in love with the process. She is grateful to be a part of the Going to Seed Team and connecting with adaptive breeders from around the world!
Farmer Support Cohort
Check out our 2025 Farmer Support Program cohort. We have 15 farmers working to adapt a crop of their choice to the challenges of their location and to meet the needs of their communities. You can find information on the farmers on our website here and updates to the projects on Discourse here.
Community Posts
Frosts and Fun: Promiscuous Tomatoes 2025 Grow Reports
Have you planted your promiscuous tomatoes yet? William Schlegel experienced a frost and “fears the worst,” and Bizarro got a mutant tomato with a tricotyledon. We hope you’ll post some of your photos and join the discussion. Check it out here.
Lots of Colorful Corn: 2025 GTS Corn Grow Reports
Did you plant corn from the GTS mixes this year? If so, share some photos and your experience with us. If you haven’t planted any corn, check out the photos of colorful kernels and lots of lush plants for inspiration. Corn is easily adaptable and flexible in how or when you plant it. It is truly magical. Check out the thread here.
The Beauty of Mustards: 2025 GTS Mix
Joseph Zarr provides a photographic timeline of germinating and growing the Going to Seed 2025 Mustard Mix. His enjoyable photos and prose show us why mustards are so resilient, yummy, and worth every bit of space. Check out the thread here and post some photos of your mustards if you grew out the mix.
We hope your garden is thriving with an abundance of life.
Lowell + GTS