Episode
982: Local Seeds Build Global Food Security
- Published
- May 1, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2842
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://www.urbanfarm.org/983
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Summary
With Host Greg Peterson and Guests Bill McDorman and Rebecca Newburn Find our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org In This Podcast: This episode of Seed Chat explores the future of seed sovereignty through two connected lenses: grassroots seed libraries and the global seed banking system. Greg Peterson is joined by Bill McDorman and special guest Rebecca Newburn to examine how communities can steward seeds locally while industrial institutions struggle to preserve crop diversity at scale. Rebecca shares how the seed library movement has grown into a global network and why the next challenge is helping communities “close the loop” by saving and returning seeds. Bill then zooms out to explain the history, promise, and limitations of international seed banks—and why local seed stewardship may be our most resilient path forward. Key Topics Seed Library Network Community seed libraries Seed saving education CGIAR international gene banks Global Crop Diversity Trust Svalbard Global Seed Vault GRIN (Genetic Resources Information Network) Regional seed co-ops Climate adaptation through seed diversity Snake River Seed Cooperative Utopian Seed Project Key Questions Answered How do seed libraries actually strengthen local food systems? Seed libraries give communities free access to seeds while rebuilding the habit of growing, saving, and sharing locally adapted crops. Their long-term value is not just seed distribution, it is creating local resilience through community stewardship and regional seed knowledge. What makes a seed library successful over time? The strongest seed libraries are sustained by committed people, clear systems, and community participation. Whether run by one passionate organizer or a collective, successful libraries create pathways for education, local seed do…