Open Source Gene Bank Log

Fri Apr 11, 2020

From Jess Cherry - I am writing from the North Quabbin region of Massachusetts. I manage a small organic farm and have started an open-pollinated and open-source bioregional seed exchange. I heard you on the Buddhist Geek podcast and was really interested with your system. After digging into your website a bit, I would love to receive more information. I am considering expanding the seed exchange further into the open-source model. The seed industry, especially with the current pandemic, has increased significantly and I want to de-centralize the exchange, so that it may filter into more communities while maintaining it's core value of bioregionalism. Could be an interested product for the idea. i am also curious to hear what is informing your understanding of agriculture and if I could offer my experience to open source ecology. Look forward to hearing from you.

be well, jess

MJ Sez - My understanding is informed by perennial polyculture work of Badgersett Research, forest farming, soil food web, bioregionalism, Miracle Orchard, Afforestt, and others. I consider Fukuoka and Rodale Institute as some of the founders. We also did our aquaponic greenhouse.

We are into open enterprise, and the open source nursery is one of the components we'd like to have here. We're also into autonomous tech such as GPS chicken tractors or robotic milkers. Plus biotecture with bee walls and ecotopes for useful species. We experimented with each to some extent, and at the end of the day it's about building an ecologically integrated, replicable village. If we can collaborate on a business model for an open seed bank, that would be great - I could envision something with seeds of vegetables, nuts, and work on long-term breeding like Badgersett Research, and a working farm based on perennials and some annuals. For a model to work, I think it should be diversified and part of a broader operation so it's more resilient. For this, I see open source as the key - to provide for the integration of knowledge and experience. If you're willing to work openly with us on that, that would be great.  Marcin