Project Number: 1910-21000-019-04
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Nov 15, 2004
End Date: Sep 14, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is to develop a strong national network capable of developing and delivering quality seed of improved vegetable varieties for organic agricultural production systems. The Plant Genetic Resources Unit (PGRU) role in the project is to address the critical linkage of delivering quality organically produced seed of new improved varieties developed for production under organic conditions. PGRU will support the development of small seed companies and independent seed growers that produce quality organic seed of vegetables through our extension and education activities.

Approach:
This project will capitalize on previous investments from the Public Seed Initiative (PSI) by using the mobile seed unit developed through PSI for conducting activities to enhance seed production capabilities of organic seed producers. This will provide the necessary equipment to address a major bottleneck in small-scale seed production, access to threshing and seed processing equipment. Major efforts will be made to provide training and workshops on small-scale seed production for organic seed producers. The mobile seed unit will be enhanced with selected equipment identified through previous activities as useful and necessary to enhance vegetable seed production capabilities of organic seed producers. Efforts will be made to identify research objectives and research partners to conduct this research to address seed-health issues for organic seed producers through additional grants.