Vermont Indigenous Seed School
8:00 AM-4:00 PM. $30 Regular - No Charge for Indigenous Citizens
The Indigenous Seed School is designed to acquaint Abenakis, organic and permaculture farmers, environmentalists, K-12 natural and social science teachers, foodies, and people interested in Native American history, culture, and ecology; with these tiny, living, foundations of the renaissance of Vermont Indigenous food systems.
This all day Sunday event begins with the origin, development and nature of seeds, then how early humans and early crop seeds co-evolved throughout the world in the early post-glacial world. Wiseman then focuses on corn, bean, and squash domestication in Mexico and South America; as well as the little known "Eastern Agricultural Complex" of the East-Central United States. These ancient "hearths" of domestication are the ultimate source of the bewildering complex of crop plants raised by the Vermont Abenakis and their neighbors. The majority of the workshop will focus on the many newly discovered regional crop varieties that are believed to have local Native American origins. Emerging science has revealed evidence of deep time presence of 50+ little-known plants such as "Curtis Pumpkin," "Algonquin Squash," "Koas Corn," and "Cambridge Jerusalem artichoke" in the region.
Hear stories about tracking these cultivars through history and biogeography -- to discover remaining descendent seeds as far afield as Colorado, Maryland and Manitoba. Wiseman will share what little is now known about the nature of these cultivated varieties, as well as tips on planting and growing out these precious ancestral beings. Professor Wiseman will also keep us up to date on the current efforts by "Seeds of Renewal Project" partners such as Sterling College to preserve the genetic purity and viability of the seed and the University of Vermont to probe the genetic origins and dispersals of these amazing seeds. Workshop lectures will be supplemented by examples of the Indigenous crops and their seeds, a handout list of seed sellers, a PowerPoint slide show, video clips, Abenaki music, the performance of a seed blessing ceremony (bring your own seeds!) and a Seven Sisters book signing by Prof. Wiseman.