In this workshop, members of the Iraqi Seed Collective will introduce their work stewarding and circulating heritage seeds and their stories from the Fertile Crescent/SWANA region. Attendees will learn the basics of wet and dry seed processing and do some hands-on processing of several different vegetable, herb and flower seeds, along with small-group discussion around cultural food/garden/plant stories. Attendees will leave with a few packets of seeds to sow at home.
The Iraqi Seed Collective, a group of heritage people and seeds growers, is devoted to preserving the genetic legacy of Iraqi crops through growing and saving heirloom seeds and sharing resources with interested gardeners. We hope to uplift and preserve ancient culture, cuisine, and stories from the fertile crescent. The Collective is inclusive of Iraqi & SWANA heritage people of a variety of backgrounds. In addition to propagating and sharing seeds the collective offers planting guidance and recipes from Iraqi cuisine. It is invested in disseminating knowledge of plants grown in Iraq and their stories to diasporic Iraqis and the wider community.