Years of research as well as anecdotal reports from growers indicate that growing plants from local seeds will produce the healthiest and best adapted plants. It makes sense.
Locally grown seeds make small genetic changes over generations that result in plants that have the genetic information to adapt well to local conditions and flourish. Since local resources as well as growing challenges and marketing opportunities vary from region to region, seeds that are grown locally will produce plants that are better adapted to their region.
University research has shown that planting locally grown seeds can make a big difference in crop success. This research has led Michael Glos at Cornell University’s Plant Breeding and Genetics Department to conclude that in pursuit of the best agricultural results, “Regional seed is important.”
Luckily, here in Hawaii, we have the opportunity to grow from seeds that are locally grown and harvested. Since 1969, the UH Seed Lab has offered seeds from fruit and vegetables that are grown here. You can order seeds online or buy them from a UH Extension Office. Today they offer more than fifteen different varieties. Go to https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/seed/order.asp to get an order form and ordering instructions.
The Hawaii Public Seed Initiative was started by the Kohala Center in 2011 following the first statewide Seed Symposium. A Seed Working Group that formed following the Symposium began exploring the ways local farmers could use part of their farms to grow seeds.
Over several years of meetings, they were able to identify crop varieties that grow well here in Hawaii. They developed specific protocols for seed growers and by 2018 they were ready to open an online store to sell their best seeds to growers in Hawaii and beyond.
Today they offer seeds for vegetables and fruit as well as herbs, grains and flowers. You can check out their offerings at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com. Descriptions of the plants, their best use and the growing locations are all on the website. If you want to become a grower, you can email them in order to review the protocols at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork@gmail.com.
Nancy Redfeather was involved with the network from the beginning. She was a seed grower and helped with marketing. Lyn Howe was another grower and the first network manager. Upon Lyn’s departure in 2019, Michelle Carrillo was able to take over her job.
The original grants for the organization were through the Kohala Center and paid for crop research and seed trials as well as training for HSGN farmers. At this point the HSGN is a separate LLC but still considers the Kohala Center as a supportive partner. The network has a small ongoing USDA specialty crop grant and is able to pay their 10 farmer partners and their administrator largely through seed sales.
I recently was able to talk to Michelle about the network. In addition to growing seeds for them, she is also a farmer growing a variety of crops on 20 acres in Puna.
She described the process from farmer to seed packet for me. The network’s trained farmers send their seeds to the Hawaii Seed Bank in Kona where they do germination testing, storage, packaging and mailing of the seeds. Seed Bank project coordinator Jill Wagner oversees the HSGN operation.
Michelle was able to share some interesting stories about some of her favorite plants and their seeds.
Evidently, Jay Bost who teaches at Go Farm Oahu was interested in the research at UH on corn varieties conducted by James Brewbaker starting in 1961. From Brewbaker’s research, a delicious super sweet corn named Brittle 9 Sweet Corn (Zea mays) emerged. Jay is growing it now and selling his seed to HSGN. This variety was first released in 1998 and has excellent adaptation to tropical soil conditions as well as pest and disease resistance. You can find it for sale at the HSGN online store.
Another favorite of Michelle’s is the Manoa C Pea (Pisum sativum). She prefers it to the Manoa Sugar pea because the vine is shorter and more compact. It is an equally abundant producer that was developed here by UH breeder James Gilbert in the 1950s but ended up in breeder Jim Myers collection at Oregon State University. Currently, the seeds are back in Hawaii and grown on the Big Island in Kainaliu.
“I’m delighted we have this pea growing in Hawaii now,” Michelle exclaims.
Michelle delighted me with another story about her beet growing days in Waimea and Puna. Her favorite beet is the German Lutz, with large bulbs and tasty leaves. The beet grows very well here in Hawaii but it is a biennial and needs a chill to go to seed. When a nation-wide crop failure wiped out the Lutz beet crop and seeds were impossible to find, Michelle saw firsthand the necessity for local farmers to raise seed crops they can rely on.
HSGN researches the best and most reliable varieties for Hawaiian farms and gardens and those are the ones they continue to grow, collect and sell. It they see a problem with a crop or a variety, they don’t offer it. Their mission is to produce locally grown, resilient seeds that are well adapted to our diverse microclimates and will improve the success of our farmers and gardeners. Because we have unique soils and climatic conditions careful crop selection is important to producing high quality seeds.
The Hawaii Seed Growers Network is up to the task. Check out their website for information on lots of plant varieties that have been well tested and can help you successfully grow food and flowers that provide nutrition for your body and for your soul.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona
Gardening Events
Saturdays: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
Save the Date: Friday, February 24: “Kona Coffee Farmers Association Conference” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, 78-128 Ehukai Street, Kailua-Kona. First Annual Conference and Member Meeting. Will cover topics pertaining to coffee growers, including soil health and ways to increase profitability. Currently inviting sponsors. For more information, contact Conference Committee Chair, Carolyn Witcover at 808-640-1647 or carolyn54@gmail.com.
Save the Date: Saturday, February 25: “Grow Hawaiian Festival 2023” at the Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden. Contact Kim Kahoonei at kimkahoonei@amygreenwell.garden for more information.
Farmer Direct Markets (check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday: “Ho’oulu Farmers Market” at Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Information on their online market: keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Town Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
“Hāmākua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka’a
Plant Advice Lines Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu Tuesdays & Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu – 322-4893 or walk in Mon., Tues. & Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo 981-5199 or himga@hawaii.edu.
