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Post by macmex on Feb 13, 2009 20:31:22 GMT -5
Perhaps the SSE could do something via Internet. I'm sure that there's plenty of room to expand into non-conventional crops. The book form is limited in some respects. But I'm not so sure I even want to see the SSE get much more defuse. The recent (fairly recent) rate increase for samples, in my opinion, was a step in the right direction. It helped to cut down on frivolous requests. I'm not opposed to someone requesting something, when they can't re-offer. But when it gets to the point that people are "shopping" the yearbook, as if it were a seed company, then I have problems.
It has grieved me, at times when rare varieties which I have come across, and not been able to maintain, have not been adopted (in spite of having been requested). But it has also been notable that the SSE has been making a much more concerted effort not to let such varieties slip through the cracks.
Still, I don't believe ANY single organization will ever be able to do the job of many individuals who work loosely together or else completely on their own. As a 25 year member of the SSE I both applaud and support their efforts; and, have decided that I need to work apart from them as well. (Without throwing stones at them.) Human= imperfect.
Groups like this and Gardenweb can go a long way in promoting and preserving rare genetic resources. "Grass roots" should by definition exclude centralized organizational structure as a principle solution. Yet, I believe it rather premature to get so down on the SSE. For example, they have been trying to encourage people to grow and maintain more umbels, brassicas, etc. That's where I learned.
"the taxonomic ordering of the listings is alphabetical, superficial and silly" - But it works. I'm not a scientist. I'm a grassroots member with a gardening heritage.
We were "overseas members" of the SSE for many years. I do indeed see the point about the high cost and late arrival of the yearbook. I once wrote them about this. How in the world could they begin to consider themselves as having a world wide vision when the cost is so prohibitive (none of our Mexican friends could ever afford to join) and growing cultivars from tropical regions won't work in the area of their main constituency? In the end, I personally concluded that they just aren't going to be truly international, at least, not in the tropical sense of the word.
Okay, I think I've "talked myself out" of being a bit cross with the criticisms. They have a point. It's just that it's so easy to criticize but not so simple to find solutions.
George
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Post by sandbar on Feb 13, 2009 20:55:23 GMT -5
Or, contact me with e-mail address and I will reply with a complete list. Also remember the bargain pricing of $2 for listed or non-listed members alike plus the previously unheard of 6 for $10. Martin Hi Martin, Sent you a PM this afternoon. A list via email would be very helpful rather than having to thumb through a couple hundred pages of tomatoes to find your offerings. TIA, Steve. |
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mostlypurple
grub
SE Michigan, Kitchen garden, Z 5b-6a
Posts: 86
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Post by mostlypurple on Feb 13, 2009 23:23:47 GMT -5
That's what I'm saying--I believe that what Patrick and Dr Kapuler and others are wishing SSE would become; i.e. a sort of clearing house which allows individual members to update their own online offerings on the fly from remote locations; is reminiscent of what Dave Thompson is trying to accomplish with his current project. I'm telling you, americangardener's new seed company is going to be the next big thing. Dave, you just need to figure out how to incorporate an interactive web-driven geodatabase like that into your business plan. (just an idea  ) |
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Post by pugs on Feb 14, 2009 0:10:38 GMT -5
Martin, thanks for the update on missing listings. I had only heard of one person with missing listings before your update. I could put that down to miscommunication, but with three people reporting missing listings, sounds like someone goofed up.
I do believe there are a lot of things SSE can do to improve things. An on-line listing (and updating) is one of them. It could even do some name checking, etc. I've found listings where the spelling of the name of the variety has changed from year to year. Some enforced reference checking would help prevent that from happening.
I also remind myself that the dues also goes toward helping keep the place, maintain the cattle, the farm, the seed collection, etc. Still, it would be nice if the overseas people were offered a pdf version of the publications and dues the same as those of us lucky enough (or unlucky enough, depending on your point of view) who live here in the US. If they wanted the dead tree versions, then the increased dues rate to cover mailing costs.
Now, back to the yearbook, does anyone want me to check on something for them? The offer still stands.
Pugs
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Post by deanriowa on Feb 18, 2009 14:46:18 GMT -5
My understanding is that SSE is planning on having online Listing registering for next year, that is you can enter your Listings via the Internet. forums.seedsavers.org/showthread.php?t=985I also know personally SSE is looking into future changes being discussed above, what changes and when those changes will be made I am not sure, but SSE has been listening and is looking into what the membership wants changed. Dean |
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Post by Alan on Feb 18, 2009 19:55:26 GMT -5
-the SSE Grower's Network has become the orphan child of the organization it founded -having been established to promote a decentralized conservation of heirloom flowers, food plants, medicinals and herbs, it has become the custodian of a huge seed collection, and become engaged in the sale of seeds as a major activity -extending and developing the vision and direction of the grower's network, the core of the SSE, is up to members, contributors and basically those interested in extending the range of interests from predominantly anglo-european based food plants to the undeveloped foodplants local to our northamerican ecosystems that were used by the native amerindians before the immigrants arrived -from sea to shining sea, from ecosystem to ecosystem, from valleys to the mountains, from deserts to the rainforests, there are species worthy of development, worthy of inclusion in the SSE, and worthy of engagement by talented, curious, active gardeners who are interested in more than the repetitive offerings of tomatoes, curcurbits and solanums I agree with all of the above posted Alkapuler. I believe that this site alone proves what the internet and what just a tiny bit more organization and knowledge can do for seed colletors/growers and independent breeders. Shortly I'm sure we will work on a database of known seeds that are floating around among traders and breeders on this site, it's only a matter of time! |
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Post by canadamike on Feb 18, 2009 20:20:38 GMT -5
Anybody that does anything is doomed not to do everything for everybody. The fast it has changed course and has also become a bigger seed company will have its plus and minuses, like anything else.
On the plus side, they are supplying heirloom seeds to a lot of people and help a lot of growers living by producing things for them.
True, they have not embraced the net successfully yet. But they are coming from a time where paper was the way to go, and as such have buit a constituency.
I sincerely think that informal networks like ours is the way of the future. I honestly think that we are doing the job better.to expand the circulation of biodiversity. And for free. But we were born in the computer age. Not them. They carry their past like we will ours one day, and something else might be the next thing. I see a big role for them and a big role for us and others.
Let's call it a biodiversity of organizations... I sincerely think they are missing the boat with regards to the net, but I hope they will turn the ship around. It would help them tremendously and bring them right back to the original intent of the founders in a cinch.
It does not mean the ''store'' is a bad idea... Anyway, I really wish them the very very best.
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Post by alkapuler on Feb 18, 2009 20:22:02 GMT -5
-most of us were raised with a limited biology
-in my youth, it was animals and plants, and then all the rest
-DNA arrived in the mid 50's and things began to change
-now we are on to a universal biology
-and the times they are a changin'
this marvelous interactive website about gardening, about communication among interested and interesting folk, helps move the SSE in a progressive direction, it also exemplfies the change in communication awareness that is happening grace to computers and the web
gives me some hope in the new age, rebirth of wonder, spring is here
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Post by raymondo on Feb 20, 2009 17:32:09 GMT -5
First off, I'm a member simply because I support what they do. I do not offer (or reoffer) through the Yearbook because I do it locally. It's a membership organisation. If you want to change it, join and get active. The Yearbook is online at yearbook.seedsavers.org. It's early days so it's not perfect. It's a good start. You cannot search by offerer but I think that's a privacy issue and I'm sure they are working on it. As of 2010, if all goes well, offers will be accepted online which should help reduce the number of errors not to mention the workload. This will free up some resources that can be better used elsewhere. I do not belive that the SSE is reluctant to embrace new technology. It is, of necessity, a slow process, for numerous reasons, with limited resources being one of the majors. |
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