Fantastic article @chrismith82!
"I want to talk about the problematic concept of heirloom seeds. Now, this will probably will cause some trouble, as criticizing heirlooms is like picking a fight with everyone’s favorite granny. Or – given that heirlooms are often seen as the only alternative to a seed industry dominated by patents and global profiteering – this could come across as kicking David in the balls as he stands before Goliath.
Beautifully written article. Combining the closed analytical mind of reason with the open creative mind of creative possibilities to capture a wider reader base.
“Author and educator Martín Prechtel describes an ancient practice of reintroducing wild genetics into stable corn populations on a 12-year cycle to reinvigorate the crop. This practice has been recorded in corn-growing communities across the Americas and is often integrated in culture and ceremony.“
“ Unfortunately, the climate crisis has created erratic weather patterns, and slow adaptation isn’t enough. We need seeds that are highly adaptive and resilient, which led me to seek even more diversity.”
“ Growing heirlooms compared with growing these diverse seed mixes is like the difference between reading a history book (where everything has already happened) and reading a sci-fi novel (where anything can happen)”
It seems this article ties into the previous conversation about “alternative branding” for Landrace gardening and expanded ways to communicate the value and goals of landrace gardening/farming.