A Happy Belated Thanksgiving to everyone!  We have been so busy at the Seed Consortium working on some amazing projects that we wanted to share. 

The first is an announcement about the 2nd Annual LIRSC Seed Swap.  This year's swap will again be held at Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead, NY.  Save the date and join us on Saturday, February 13, 2016.  Last year's turn out was astounding and we are so excited to bring the public more talks, demos, panels and of course SEEDS to this year's swap.

Bring the seeds you saved this past season, bring seed packets you previously grew and bring your questions!  More information will be available as the swap draws closer.  For basic infomation and a seed swap FAQ you can visit www.lirsc.org.

LONG ISLAND CHEESE PUMPKIN PROJECT

We are also happy to announce a new project that is taking shape.  LIRSC conceptualized this project in an effort to get various food systems shareholders behind the local variety of the LI Cheese pumpkin. Although local farmers were growing and initially saving the seed, it had disappeared commercially from seed catalogs in the 1970's. This seed was collected and saved by a local seed saver, Ken Ettlinger. The pumpkin is being grown at a few farms currently, but it is not being widely utilized or even known about on Long Island.

Phase one of the LIRSC Initiative -

• Collaborating and coordinating with farmers, breeders, non-profits, seed libraries, chefs, school gardens and gardeners to grow the LI cheese pumpkin.
• Provide support and education concerning this program.
• Ambassador program of the cheese pumpkin which will highlight the pumpkin within the organization. These organizations will have various tools and programs particular to the group.
• Researching archival materials for purposes and creating materials for purposes of historicity.

For more information about how you, your business or your organization can help, please contact: Laura@lirsc.org

A big thank you to all who attended the Basic Seed Saving Workshop.  It was a blast!  We hope to see some of your seeds at the seed swap!