Annual Report 2012

As the year draws to a close, we extend our gratitude for your partnership and support. Thanks to you, we expanded into new regions in 2012 -- educating more farmers, developing more organic varieties, and impacting more seed policy. A seed stewardship movement is afoot, and you're a part of it, whether you farm, save seed, distribute organic produce, certify farms, or teach the next generation of plant breeders.

This newsletter represents our 2012 annual report. OSA continues to make extraordinary progress toward advancing our mission in all program areas -- we hope you’ll agree.

As we head into 2013, we are more confident than ever in our approach to building organic seed research, education,and policy from the ground up.

We hope you will join us by making a gift to OSA today.

Best wishes this holiday season,

Micaela Colley
Executive Director
Organic Seed Alliance

Financial Report
Establishing Research Models for Organic Seed
Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA)
Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC)
Heirlooms of Tomorrow: 'Abundant Bloomsdale' Spinach
Expanding Education to Meet Growing Demand
California: A Regional Approach to Seed System Development
Advocacy Promotes Organic Integrity
Seed Matters: Farmer Seed Stewardship Initiative
New Publication: Participatory Plant Breeding Toolkit
New Tool: Organic Seed Finder
Record Turnout: 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference
Get Schooled: 2013 Organicology Conference
OSA Staff Published Widely
Other Highlights
Why I Support OSA
Thanks to our 2012 Major Supporters
Thanks to our 2012 Partners

Financial Report
In 2012 OSA continued to grow at a steady rate of approximately 10% compared to 2011, with a total annual budget of more than $700,000. Income sources were markedly similar to 2011 with a significant level of funding from government grants. Other diversified funding sources included private grants, the organic industry, earned revenue, and individual donors. Investments in OSA’s work from individual donors increased 30% over the past two years. Thanks to all our supporters for their valuable investment in the ethical development and stewardship of seed.  

Establishing Research Models for Organic Seed
OSA’s research program closely engages organic farmers and other seed professionals in participatory plant breeding projects. The overarching goals of this program are to encourage breeding programs designed in concert with organic systems, and to develop and identify cultivars that meet the needs of organic farmers. Through two collaborative projects (see CIOA and NOVIC updates) we are building stronger relationships between farmers and breeders, especially in our public institutions.

Carrot Improvement for Organic Agriculture (CIOA)
The CIOA project made its debut this year by establishing long-term breeding goals to meet the underserved needs of organic carrot farmers. OSA is working with farmers and four universities to develop carrots with improved disease and nematode resistance, improved weed competitiveness, and improved nutrition and flavor. Keep tabs on the project and upcoming events at http://eorganic.info/carrotimprovement.

Northern Organic Vegetable Improvement Collaborative (NOVIC)
NOVIC just completed its third year, where researchers spanning five states are working with organic farmers to address timely seed and plant breeding needs in the northern tier of the U.S. This collaborative effort has already resulted in critical on-farm, organic variety trial data and an online database of trial results. We are also making progress in developing organically bred varieties of five crops. A comprehensive report of three years of national trial results will be released in early 2013. You can find this report and more details about NOVIC at http://eorganic.info/novic/.  

Heirlooms of Tomorrow: ‘Abundant Bloomsdale’ Spinach
OSA has been working for several years on a new spinach variety that we’ve dubbed ‘Abundant Bloomsdale.’ The project has engaged more than 10 farmers in our participatory plant breeding approach. The variety is performing well in the field and has a high nutritional value to promote good health, with a sweet flavor and tender texture. This year we partnered again with Midori Farm in Port Townsend, Washington, to identify and select the most desirable plants. We are excited to report that this variety is close to being ready for release. In the next couple of years we will increase our seed stock and make this OSA-bred original available through an open-source variety release program.  

Expanding Education to Meet Growing Demand
This year OSA provided educational services at 25 events that collectively engaged more than 3,000 participants (a third of whom were farmers). Classroom and field courses ranged from “Fundamentals of On-Farm Plant Breeding” to “Seed Production 101.” We also participated in field days that showcased progress in NOVIC and CIOA variety trials and participatory breeding projects. OSA’s seed publications remain important go-to sources for farmers and other agricultural professionals, downloaded by more than 4,000 individuals this year. OSA staff also provided consulting services to farmers representing 30 on-farm breeding projects across the U.S.  

California: A Regional Approach to Seed System Development
OSA’s work to develop seed systems includes a regional approach. We have identified a need to strengthen organic seed systems in California. California currently produces the most vegetable seed of any state nationally, yet organic seed use could be much stronger. According to our State of Organic Seed survey, of the California organic farmers surveyed, only 38% of the vegetable seed they used was organic. According to survey responses, California farmers are relying on conventionally produced seed because of a lack of organic seed in the varieties they need and a lack of sufficient quantities. There is a clear need for more organic seed and more diversity of organic seed. With the right tools, California farmers have the potential to fill that need.  
To build California’s organic seed system, we are applying a systems-based approach that unites seed production, variety trials, on-farm plant breeding, and seed enterprise support to create a “seed ecosystem” where each component supports the engagement of farmers with seed. As farmers become more aware of their seed choices, the number of farmers engaged in seed evaluation, production, and improvement expands, until we reach a tipping point where strong regional seed networks and enterprises emerge.  
We are meeting the need for a more robust seed system in California by partnering with the USDA, Columbia Foundation, Gaia Fund, and the California Wheat Commission to expand our outreach in California. In the last year, OSA has:

• Taught more than 1,300 people seed saving, seed production and/or variety improvement at more than 20 workshops.
• Purchased more than $6,000 worth of specialty seed harvesting and cleaning equipment for seed producers to share.
• Worked with California farmers to breed varieties of zucchini, winter squash, sweet corn, carrots, and spinach for organic systems.
• Conducted variety trials on four farms, evaluating more than 100 vegetable cultivars in order to identify the best varieties for organic farmers.
• Provided one-on-one mentorship for beginning and experienced seed producers in order to help them more successfully produce and market their seed crops.

Advocacy Promotes Organic Integrity
OSA delivered a number of public comments this year to USDA’s Advisory Committee on Biotechnology (AC21), the National Organic Standards Board, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture on organic seed availability and integrity issues. Through support from Seed Matters and Organic Valley’s Farmers Advocating for Organics Fund, we conducted a seed integrity survey to assess the risks to seed companies regarding the unwanted presence of genetically engineered (GE) material in seed sold for organic systems. These findings informed our public testimony, recommendations, and broader education. We also worked with the National Organic Coalition to educate members of Congress on the importance of public cultivar development, and organized more than 50 university researchers and an additional 50 agricultural organizations in encouraging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reinvigorate support for classical plant breeding that meets the diverse needs of farmers. Our 2012 policy comments can be found at http://www.seedalliance.org/Advocacy/.

Seed Matters: Farmer Seed Stewardship Initiative
Seed Matters is an initiative of the Clif Bar Family Foundation and a leading proponent and supporter of our work. This year we worked with Seed Matters to develop a Farmer Seed Stewardship Initiative to recognize farmers as seed innovators, and advance education, research, and advocacy to support farmers’ ability to save, breed, and produce seed for on-farm and commercial use. We recently rolled out a Farmer Seed Stewardship map to help us pay tribute to (and track!) the growing seed stewardship movement. We also educated farmers across the U.S. on seed-related topics through regional events. This growing network of seed stewards will lend an important voice to seed policy initiatives in 2013 and be linked into other seed producer networking opportunities. Learn more at http://www.seedalliance.org/farmer-seed-stewardship/.

New Publication: Participatory Plant Breeding Toolkit
OSA released the first Participatory Plant Breeding Toolkit this year thanks to support from the Organic Farming Research Foundation, Seed Matters, and USDA’s Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI). The new publication supports participatory plant breeding projects that aim to increase the availability and quality of organic seed. Participatory breeding is a highly effective on-farm breeding method that involves a close collaboration between farmers and researchers. Farmers and university breeders are experts in their own fields, but may not have training in assessing the needs and capacities of partners, working together in project planning, or maintaining clear and timely communications. OSA’s new toolkit helps collaborators overcome potential challenges to ensure project goals are met. This publication is available as a free download at http://www.seedalliance.org/Publications/.

New Tool: Organic Seed Finder
Last year OSA convened a working group to lead the development and implementation of a new organic seed database. This tool was long cited as a major need among organic stakeholders, and in October 2012, the Organic Seed Finder website was launched by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). Organic Seed Finder provides reliable organic seed availability information to facilitate the growth and success of the organic seed sector. It also supports farmer, certifier, and handler decisions for better meeting the national organic seed requirement and serving organic production, which remains one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. food industry. Check it out at www.organicseedfinder.org.

Record Turnout: 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference
Our 6th Organic Seed Growers Conference was a huge success this year. More than 300 people gathered in Port Townsend, Washington (with an additional 200 participants joining via live webinars) for two days of education and networking. More than 50 speakers presented on a variety of topics, including organic plant breeding, seed production, harvesting, enterprise development, and policy. The conference kicked off with an all-day tour of fields and seed businesses in the Skagit Valley. OSA’s biennial conference is the only event of its kind, and planning is already underway for the next one in Corvallis, Oregon, from January 30 - February 1, 2014. Mark your calendars!  

Get Schooled: 2013 Organicology Conference
OSA served on the planning committee in 2012 and will co-host this extraordinary conference once again. The curriculum is interactive and designed to advance knowledge and partnerships across the organic community -- from farmers and researchers, to retailers and eaters. OSA will lead several seed-related workshops as well as an all-day intensive course on organic seed production. You can still register for the Portland, Oregon, event, held February 7 - 9, 2013, at www.organicology.org.  

OSA Staff Published Widely
Three OSA staff members are among the impressive authors of Organic Crop Breeding, a comprehensive review of the latest efforts to develop improved varieties for organic production. This is the first textbook on the topic of organic crop improvement.

Dr. John Navazio published a book this year, entitled: The Organic Seed Grower. It is a comprehensive manual for the serious vegetable grower who is interested in growing high-quality seed using organic farming practices. The book is published by Chelsea Green.

Jared Zystro co-authored an article in the journal Sustainability, entitled: “Analysis of Traits Related to Weed Competitiveness in Sweet Corn (Zea mays L.)” (published March 2012).

Kristina Hubbard co-authored an article in the journal Agriculture and Human Values, entitled: “Confronting Coexistence in the United States: Organic Agriculture, Genetic Engineering, and the Case of Roundup Ready Alfalfa” (published online September 2012).  

Other Highlights

• Student Organic Seed Symposium OSA participated in the first student-led symposium on organic seed in Greensboro, Vermont, to educate graduate students on organic plant breeding and research methodologies. We are inspired by the enthusiasm and potential of the next generation of organic plant breeders coming out of our public institutions. Learn more about the symposium at https://sites.google.com/site/studentorganicseedsymposium/

• Building International Partnerships OSA is partnering with our neighbors to the north through the Bauta Initiative on Canadian Seed Security led by USC Canada. OSA’s executive director participated in the strategy development of the initiative and recognizes this effort as parallel to OSA’s work in the U.S. Our first collaborative project is developing a “Training for Trainers” guide on how to hold effective seed education workshops. We plan to co-launch the new training program in 2013.

• Planning for Growth OSA began a new phase of strategic planning this year that included extensive assessments of our capacity, infrastructure, and organizational vision led by a professional facilitator. Our board and staff met for a weekend retreat to review these assessments and begin outlining our operations, communications, and program platforms for the next five years. We remain on track to fulfilling our mission through research, education, and advocacy thanks to a dedicated staff and board who understand well the unique niche we fill in the organic community. We look forward to sharing these plans with you in the coming year.

• Supporting Seed in the Southeast OSA published findings from our Southeast Organic Seed Stakeholders Survey and soon after convened a working group made up of farmers, organizations, and university researchers who want to engage in collaborative projects to expand and strengthen the region's organic seed system.

• Organic Plant Breeding Working Group We continued to facilitate a working group made up of a dozen plant breeders who are committed to developing methods, systems, and infrastructure to support and increase public plant breeding programs focused on organic systems. This year the group began putting together a research agenda for organic plant breeding. They also submitted comments to the USDA explaining the importance of directing more public research dollars toward classical plant breeding projects that result in finished cultivars.

• OSA in the News Traditional and social media continued to see OSA as a go-to for expert opinions on organic seed issues, as evidenced by more than 50 articles that covered or mentioned OSA’s work. Our social media following also grew considerably. Both our Facebook and Twitter following doubled, growing to 14,000 and 3,000, respectively. Our quarterly newsletter now reaches more than 7,400 individuals.

Why I Support OSA
The resources that OSA has made available to the larger seed community are amazing. The publications are wonderful, and the workshops and conferences have been so informative. Having an advocacy organization dedicated to seed education and organic seed production makes my job as a seed producer so much easier.

Rowen White
Sierra Seeds
Nevada City, CA  

Thanks to our 2012 Major Supporters
California Wheat Commission
Clif Bar Family Foundation
Columbia Foundation
Farm Aid
Gaia Fund
Horizon Organic
Nell Newman Foundation
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Organically Grown Company
Seed Matters
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
United Natural Foods Inc.
USDA – California Rural Business Enterprise Grant
USDA – Organic Research and Extension Initiative
Vitalis Organic Seeds
Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Thanks to our 2012 Partners
eOrganic
Seed Savers Exchange
Washington State University
National Organic Coalition
NOVIC
CIOA