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OSA is dedicated to providing quality seed-related resources to the public free of charge. Our publications include policy reports, plant breeding and variety trial guides, seed production guides, online tutorials, worksheets, record sheets, and proceedings from our biennial Organic Seed Growers Conference.
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Policy Reports
State of Organic Seed Report
Published February 2011: State of Organic Seed (SOS) is an ongoing project to monitor the status of organic seed systems in the United States. The project aims to develop diverse stakeholder involvement in implementing policy, research, education, and market‐driven activities that result in the improved quality, integrity, and use of organic seed.This report is the first comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities in building the organic seed sector.
Plant Breeding and Variety Trials
2012 California Organic Variety Trials Report
Published in January 2013: This report is the result of variety trials conducted in 2012 by Organic Seed Alliance in Arcata and San Jaun Bautista, California. Researchers evaluated close to 100 varieties, including varieties of broccoli, kale, Swiss chard, green beans, and Japanese cucumber. Data was collected from both on-farm trial locations in the summer and fall of 2012. This report includes detailed descriptions of trial locations, trial methods, trial result evaluations, and recommendations.
Participatory Plant Breeding Toolkit
Published June 2012: Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) is a highly effective on-farm breeding method that involves a close collaboration between farmers and researchers. The approach provides farmers an opportunity to adapt crop varieties to their specific regions and organic farming practices. The toolkit includes a background on the theory and practice of PPB, case studies of successful projects, and worksheets to facilitate project planning and execution.
Vegetable Variety Trials for Local Food Production on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State
Published June 2010: In 2009 OSA conducted variety trials in Jefferson County, WA for 11 different crops, with over 170 varieties, evaluating these varieties for their quality and marketability into the adverse weather conditions of fall and winter. The trial objective was to assist growers to expand their season and diversify their winter vegetable production on the Olympic Peninsula supporting increased availability of local foods. This report is the result of these trials and includes trial methods, results, recommendations, and trial evaluation data.
On-farm Variety Trials: A Guide for Organic Vegetable, Herb, and Flower Producers
Published June 2007: This guide provides training in basic, on-farm experimental design, as well as tools to efficiently and effectively manage on-farm trials and utilize trial results. Readers will learn how to conduct on-farm variety trials and use the results of trials to direct their variety selection and seed purchasing choices in a manner that minimizes farm risk.
Seed Production
Seed Production Tutorials
Released June 2011: These multi-media seed production tutorials teach users professional techniques for organic seed production in the following categories: Beets and chard; brassicas; carrots; lettuce; onions; wet seeded crops; seed climatic considerations; and seed disease. The tutorials are based on presentations given by organic seed experts at the 2011 Organicology conference.
A Seed Saving Guide for Gardeners and Farmers
Published April 2010: This publication from OSA condenses years of farming, gardening, plant breeding and seed saving wisdom, as well as conversations with many prominent seed experts. The guide covers the basics of seed growing from choosing appropriate varieties for seed saving to harvesting, processing, and storing seed. It assumes that the reader has basic knowledge of vegetable growing.
Principles and Practices of Organic Bean Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
Published 2007: The Principles and Practices of Organic Bean Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic bean seed production. The guide includes basic bean seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Principles and Practices of Organic Beet Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
Published 2010: The Principles and Practices of Organic Beet Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic beet seed production. The guide includes basic beet seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Principles and Practices of Organic Carrot Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
Published 2010: The Principles and Practices of Organic Carrot Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic beet seed production. The guide includes basic carrot seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Principles and Practices of Organic Lettuce Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
Published 2010: The Principles and Practices of Organic Lettuce Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic beet seed production. The guide includes basic lettuce seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Principles and Practices of Organic Radish Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest
Published 2007: The Principles and Practices of Organic Radish Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic beet seed production. The guide includes basic radish seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Published February 2007: The Principles and Practices of Organic Spinach Seed Production in the Pacific Northwest guide includes the basic knowledge needed for on-farm organic beet seed production. The guide includes basic spinach seed biology; climatic requirements, soil fertility requirements, planting and cultivation for growing bean seed; flowering and pollination; isolation requirements; genetic maintenance and improvement; harvesting; and common diseases.
Published June 2006: The presence of inclement weather during maturation and harvest may adversely affect all dry-seeded seed crops. By following preventative measures and preparing for inclement weather, growers can significantly reduce risks and prevent financial losses. The scope of this publication covers wet-weather-related harvesting issues and recommendations for dry-seeded crops in the Pacific Northwest.
Published April 2010: This eOrganic guide includes resources and information on a broad range of organic seed topics including organic seed sourcing, seed contracting, production information, and more. OSA created this guide working with University researchers, Extension, seed industry professionals, and farmers working within the eOrganic Community of Practice.
Worksheets and Record Sheets
Harvest and Handling Seed Record
Use this record sheet to track annual seed harvesting and handling, including: harvest dates; seed source; damage; cleaning methods; weight; storage conditions; and germ details.
Seed Crop Record
Use this record sheet to track annual seed crop details, including: crop location details; emergence details; cultivation methods; disease and pest damage; harvest dates; and selection characteristics.
Trial Evaluation Sheet
Use this record sheet to score variety trials, including: varieties; reps; and selection trait scoring.
Variety Trial Planning Worksheet
Use this worksheet to plan field variety trials. This document includes sections for desired variety traits, trial varieties used, planning tips, field assessments, trial layout, and evaluation criteria and timing.
Organic Seed Growers Conference Proceedings
Other Seed-Related Publications
- Diseases in Vegetable Seed Crops: Identification, Biology, and Management - Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
Variety Trial and Organic Plant Breeding Publications
Publications and research reports in the areas of Organic Variety Trials and Organic and Participatory Plant Breeding.
for organic seed research, education and advocacy.
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