Seed Saving as Collective Survival with Tomorrow’s Garden

Urban farming often captures the spotlight, while rural areas are seen as the home of “real” farms. Yet between these two spaces lies suburbia—yards, lawns, and overlooked patches of land with enormous potential to grow food, restore biodiversity, and fill the gaps in food deserts. As development reshapes landscapes, suburban gardens can become powerful sites for community nourishment and environmental stewardship.

Combating climate change through agriculture begins with the seeds that thrive where we live. Saving seeds preserves the genetic knowledge plants develop in their local microclimates—knowledge often lost when large seed companies grow crops under ideal conditions far removed from the realities of home gardens and small farms. Seed saving is both an act of remembrance and a commitment to future generations. In this workshop, guided by Elizabeth from Tomorrow’s Garden and Red Rice Books, participants will learn the basics of seed saving while exploring its cultural, political, and ecological significance across agricultural traditions. Together, we’ll consider how seeds have long represented autonomy, survival, and community care—from maroon communities to modern food justice movements—while building connections that help suburban gardens and neighborhoods grow stronger together.

Participants will leave with:

• Practical seed-saving knowledge

• A curated seed packet and a seasonal plant to take home

• A deeper understanding of food sovereignty and land stewardship

Note: Young participants are not allowed without adult supervision.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Charlotte SHOUT!