We are planning to plant this time of year in the Delta School District. The young farmers are taught how to read a seed chart and they each get to vote for vegetables from a list that produces best results. I give them a list of ten initial vegetables and they pick the top five from these choices. Democracy at work.
I tell them to close their eyes and picture the vegetables as they choose. They are told to close their eyes so they don’t rely on what their friends choices are. Invariably, and especially with the younger kids, there are squinty eyes peeking through finger cracks to see what everyone else is doing.
Once the five choices are made, we will take time in our sessions over the coming weeks to taste the choices first before actually planting the seed in the spring. This way they taste their choices once prior to seeding and then again at harvest time. Over the years it has been very gratifying for me to note that, in general terms, if they plant it they will eat it. For parents scoring at home, this is a fine reason to set up a growing environment at home to encourage healthy eating habits.
We are doing our crop planning a little early this year because I want to buy the seed before the big rush comes. Many of you may recall that last there was a “run” on seed purchasing in the spring. Many retail outlets sold out quickly as people at least contemplated growing their own. Nursery businesses, retail stores and specialty shops all had banner years this spring and that will likely be matched again in a few months time.
On a larger scale, seed availability has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Availability and cost of transport due to the reduced number of commercial flights; fewer personnel available for production, transportation and documentation processes; and a contraction in the market for plants and seeds is creating problems in terms of the production of seed for international trade, as well as access to high quality seed of modern varieties for domestic agriculture.”(Trade for Development news July 16, 2020)
Restrictions on movement of product will likely have more of an effect on least developed countries (LDC’s). Generally, these are the countries that need to protect nutritional health and food security more than us in the developed world.
The inability to receive seed in a timely manner and in appropriate volumes may prove problematic for many farmers in LDC’s. Combined with a changing climate, Covid-19 will contribute to farming problems in many regions of the world.
We are lucky to live where we do but we should not be complacent. We need to keep our young people engaged and learning about food and farming.
