Embracing Earth’s Diversity

Joseph Simcox, a botanical explorer and world food plant ecologist, has spent decades traveling the globe documenting, tasting, and collecting the seeds of thousands of rare and underutilized edibles. Visiting over 100 countries and collecting the seed of 15,000 crop varieties and wild species, Joseph’s experiential knowledge lends a fresh analysis to how we can innovate agriculture in the face of climate change and reclaim a more balanced and harmonious relationship with the natural world.

With over 50,000 known species of edible plants in the world, it is befuddling to think that globally we depend on fewer than 20 to provide 90% of our food. Some estimate that in the last century alone three-fourths of all known food crops slipped into extinction.

Are these crops irreversibly and irrecoverably lost? Not so! Learn how you can contribute to reviving crop diversity right here in the Pioneer Valley. In promotion of Joseph’s Garden Across America project he will be giving out FREE seeds from his Rare Vegetable Seed Consortium to passionate individuals and local organizations who are interested in growing out, selecting, saving, and returning a portion of the seeds back to the project for further promotion. After all, “the best seed bank is in the soil.”

This is an awesome opportunity to take home some truly unique heirloom varieties for those who are interested!

To learn more about Joseph and his projects check out these websites:

·      explorewithjoseph.com
·      gardensacrossamerica.com
·      growrareseeds.com