Fair compensation for seed work

General Discussions
,
1

I’m hoping to start a conversation here about compensation for seed work, and how we can develop ways to ethically generate more money for seed growers.

I think it’s valid and important that some seed is given freely and remains outside of commercial systems; this is how seeds are traditionally shared. Yet there is clearly a lot of very important seed work that deserves compensation, and currently much of this work is uncompensated.

As a commercial vegetable farmer on a “micro” scale for the last 12 years, it’s become clear to me that there are big issues with receiving fair compensation for growing food. Especially when staying true to personal values and ethics. Most of the best farmers that I know struggle to get a fair wage. This is a complex issue that may delve into politics a bit, but to me, as a society we must figure out where the money is coming from to support important services, including growing food and seeds ethically.

As many farmers begin to understand the true financial hardships that come with the work of growing food, many (like myself) are interested in partially pivoting to seed growing. Seed work appeals to many farmers, and also seems like a gig that could generate income a bit easier than growing food.

But to me, commercial/professional/paid seed growers are faced with some of the same challenges as farmers growing food. Namely, that there aren’t easy systems in place to plug into for sales, distribution, and compensation. In a sense, the farmer has to start from square one and build up a new business. They may be required to scale up, start a seed company, or engage in seed contract work, which may not be viable. It’s even more challenging when growing genetically-diverse seeds, with less uniformity, which aren’t as appealing to seed buyers/retailers/etc.

In short, it’s not easy for farmers to sell seeds, or to make a living wage from this work. I personally know a lot of farmers and gardeners who are interested in growing seeds, but don’t do it because of perceived financial constraints. I fear that if growing seeds and food becomes too inaccessible for folks needing pay, these may become the province of only the powerful, the privileged, or the most dedicated.

So I wonder if folks have any thoughts around how to build systems that lead to fair compensation for seed work.

8 Likes
2

Here’s one idea my community is developing.

Local retail seed racks featuring diverse seeds, but also from diverse seed growers. In other words, centralized hubs for aggregating and distributing seeds.

I think that if the public becomes more familiar with local, unique seeds that are more valuable than what is for sale from Johnny’s, they will support this work and pay for it.

I also think that if individual local seed growers can band together to collaborate on seed distribution, there are exciting new possibilities. One small grower might only save seeds from a few crops, but a coordinated group could offer a range of appealing seeds.

IMG_1443
IMG_14431920×2560 588 KB

Pictured above is our current (1st year!) seed rack at a garden shop in Portland. I’m hoping that next spring we can offer a number of packets from other growers that we know, and build from there into more of a community-sourced seed rack.

One challenge I’m noticing is how a system like this can coexist with and not compete with the free Seed Library model that seems to be gaining popularity. I think these libraries are great and it’s very exciting to see them expanding in their reach. But how do we continue to find ways to compensate those doing the work?

12 Likes
3

Here is one initiative: About Us & Our Seeds – BC Eco Seed Co-op

1 Like
4

It’s a tricky question, for sure. I’m sorry to say I don’t have an answer. I only have a few thoughts on the shape of the challenge itself.

I think living ethically tends to be at direct odds with the system of money as we currently use it. One method of measuring value is all about building long-term abundance for all; the other method of measuring value is all about extracting as many resources as possible for oneself.

In order to solve this problem, a shift in mindset in that person’s community is necessary. Not a shift in political structure imposed by authority – if the system changes because of an imposition, people will resent the new system and look for ways to cheat, and keep on thinking in terms of extracting value. Change needs to happen inside first, and then the system will change naturally to match the people’s values.

So, I think the solution most likely does not come from any single individual. It’s far more likely to come in a form akin to, “Build a community.”

5 Likes
5

Have you connected with the Seed Workers Organizing group? https://seedworkers.org/ They are definitely looking into these issues. You could join their free monthly meetups to chat about the topic!

3 Likes
6

This looks great! Definitely a model that I think could begin to catch on. I might reach out to them. Thanks for sharing!

7

Thanks for your comments! I definitely agree, the root of the issue is that seed saving and growing food are fundamentally at odds with profit and capitalism, and we need to shift community values in order to create a real change. Definitely work that I want to engage in.

I also think it’s valuable to divest resources from systems we don’t align with, and reinvest into communities and services that we value. Whether under the current system of capitalism, but also in alternative and future systems. So for instance, creating local seed racks that can support local growers to increase their contributions, and perhaps replace some of the purchases from Johnny’s or Burpee.

Also, as you are saying, as long as we are living under a capitalist or scarcity model, important services will be neglected, so to me it feels important to support those who are providing these services in times of need, or they may be in danger of disappearing. I think without some monetary compensation or benefit, many folks are simply unable to engage with seed saving work. And there is certainly money out there that could make a big difference.

I also have hopes that a retail community seed rack could be integrated into a broader food hub model that could contribute to a shift in values. I dream of the potential for a community space for hosting meals, classes, meeting, and a seed hub with free and sold seeds. I’ve found that farmers and people in general aren’t well organized in part because we are a bit isolated and so we need more physical gathering spaces.

2 Likes
8

This looks very interesting, thanks for sharing! No upcoming events listed, but I’ll be sure to check back in the future.

9

I also think it’s worth remembering this principle, as far as building a community goes: “Somebody has to make the first move.”

It’s difficult to do what everybody else isn’t, especially when it involves shifting from a selfish mindset to a sharing mindset. It is very easy to be afraid that your needs will not be met. Goodness knows I know that personally.

Just remember that your personal heroes you admire most are very likely people who were willing to do that in one way or another.

If you want to live in a better system, start to live as if you are already part of that system, explain to others what you are trying to accomplish, and invite them to join in. Some may decide they love your vision and want to be part of it, and will make their own contributions. A whole movement can start to result.

One of the best things you can do is to make the barrier to entry very low, and make the benefits of joining the community very appealing.

Patience and willingness to be considered weird are often required to start a new movement. Both are skills that you can (and will) improve as you practice them.

If you embody whatever system you want to be part of, even if that system does not currently exist yet . . . maybe you can start to build it.

5 Likes
10

I’ve been thinking about how we’ve organised money and power as a society, and reading Emily’s post about abundance vs. extraction totally sums it up for me.
Spencer, fair wage is a tough one. I used to be an arts and crafts business owner, but went under because of cheap stuff coming over from a big country far away. I think networking (markets, fairs? online, but locally - local paper?) to meet the customers and share your vision about how and why you do things is a great start. An educated customer is better equipped to make an informed choice.
Seeds have always been shared freely within a community (friends, going-to-be-friends). Getting paid for your seeds happens in a setting like in your photo, what a great initiative! I can imagine that in eco-shops the customers understand the value of local seeds, will buy and tell their gardening friends about their find.

Personally, I think the way forward is re-organising power and money into smaller, more local hubs. There are initiatives with local currency, but the shift in thinking in the society hasn’t happened - perhaps because many are exhausted and stressed and there’s not much mind space left to think about how life would be sweeter, in a truly sustainable way.
I believe that any change begins with oneself. A shift in viewing the world and experiencing Life in general makes that we start to act and choose differently. As people around us see what we’re (quietly? or not so quietly :slight_smile: ) doing, they might get curious and ask. THAT is when new ways of thinking can start to stick! Hopefully others will become inspired to re-think their way of living as well and the ripple effect goes on.

4 Likes
11

I don’t have any ideas on fixing this. I wanted to let you know that you concisely described what I have observed and thought in regards to farmers and seed growing. It’s not easy to make a living wage from this work.

2 Likes