Post by canadamike on Feb 27, 2009 20:53:22 GMT -5
It might be time that I provide some news about the Homegrown Goodness Perennial Grain Project, Tim Peters' baby.
Many of you have expressed interest early on and were expecting some news.
A lot of info has been exchanged by e-mails, but it is time we make everybody know more about it, especially given the ever increasing number of new members.
For the newcomers and those who did not read previous messages on the forum, renowned breeder Tim Peters', now a member and friend here ( atimberline ) has make his life's work the creation of perennial grains like rye, wheat, triticale, millet,sorho and a few others.
Perennialization of these grains, with their better root system and ability to thrive like wild plants in poor soil and without irrigation ( like the original soil that gave life to most of the wild ancestors of our modern grains) holds lots of promises to end starvation in many parts of the world, and could also maximize the use of otherwise ''bad'' soil in our richer countries.
The organic applications are endless.
As an exemple that has nothing to do with bread making or direct human consumption, I would like to mention that a french ancient/ old grains specialist ( also an artisan baker) planted Tim's older version of perennial rye years ago. He found out that the ''man made new perennial wild rye'' was first to grow in spring in his pasture, permitting him to get his herd of sheeps sooner outside in nature to feed. More natural grazing, better health for the herd and money saved feeding them.
Not bad for a start. Then, another advantage comes later, once the herd is moved elsewhere and the rye produces grain and lots of badly needed 2 meters high straw.
Not a bad deal, don't you think?
We also have to work on the human consumption aspect of the rye. Some show breadmaking potential, some are promising for other uses.
Rye is the first grain we are working on ( I coordinate the project for Tim ), simply because it is at a more advanced stage of developpement and we have more material. Wheat will follow soon, probably next year.
I sent 3 draft copies of a future press release only to gauge the initial interest. To our ( and Tim's) total surprise, despite not being officially announced, the success of this micro-miniature publicity campaign was such that demand poured in from around the world.
Kokopelli, the french association well known for its opposition to european seed laws and devotion to organic agriculture and heirloom varieties of veetables, fruit and grains, stepped in and provided much needed money to Tim.
The cost of being part of the project is $25 here, 25 euros for the Euro zone and 25 pounds in the UK
They assumed immediate financing for 50 units, giving Tim much needed initial financial support and leaving enough for us at Homegrown.
Others from around the world are still welcomed, and will get seeds as soon as we have produced them. We are in an increase phase...
So people here are welcomed, for the costs just look a few lines up.
The details of what to do, how to do it and so on will be made available very soon to the participants.
In fact, we have been totally taken by surprise with the demand, but we are not alone: Dominique Guillet ( Xochipelli here ), the head of the organization, expected very low demand for rye.
Well, Koko's head office is drowning under demand, they are pulling their hair off in France.
All in all, as I said to Tim, it is an idea whose time has come, we could increase the size of the project by 100 and still be short, I am sure.
There is still much to be said about the work done and what we could do here, but I would like Tim to step in, I am only a worker here, he is the artist and the genious behind this project.
I simply feel blessed and incredibly lucky to have a chance to work with him. Most people here would dream to be in my shoes.
Thanks a lot for letting me share the joy Tim. I'll be eternally grateful for that chance of working with you...
Many of you have expressed interest early on and were expecting some news.
A lot of info has been exchanged by e-mails, but it is time we make everybody know more about it, especially given the ever increasing number of new members.
For the newcomers and those who did not read previous messages on the forum, renowned breeder Tim Peters', now a member and friend here ( atimberline ) has make his life's work the creation of perennial grains like rye, wheat, triticale, millet,sorho and a few others.
Perennialization of these grains, with their better root system and ability to thrive like wild plants in poor soil and without irrigation ( like the original soil that gave life to most of the wild ancestors of our modern grains) holds lots of promises to end starvation in many parts of the world, and could also maximize the use of otherwise ''bad'' soil in our richer countries.
The organic applications are endless.
As an exemple that has nothing to do with bread making or direct human consumption, I would like to mention that a french ancient/ old grains specialist ( also an artisan baker) planted Tim's older version of perennial rye years ago. He found out that the ''man made new perennial wild rye'' was first to grow in spring in his pasture, permitting him to get his herd of sheeps sooner outside in nature to feed. More natural grazing, better health for the herd and money saved feeding them.
Not bad for a start. Then, another advantage comes later, once the herd is moved elsewhere and the rye produces grain and lots of badly needed 2 meters high straw.
Not a bad deal, don't you think?
We also have to work on the human consumption aspect of the rye. Some show breadmaking potential, some are promising for other uses.
Rye is the first grain we are working on ( I coordinate the project for Tim ), simply because it is at a more advanced stage of developpement and we have more material. Wheat will follow soon, probably next year.
I sent 3 draft copies of a future press release only to gauge the initial interest. To our ( and Tim's) total surprise, despite not being officially announced, the success of this micro-miniature publicity campaign was such that demand poured in from around the world.
Kokopelli, the french association well known for its opposition to european seed laws and devotion to organic agriculture and heirloom varieties of veetables, fruit and grains, stepped in and provided much needed money to Tim.
The cost of being part of the project is $25 here, 25 euros for the Euro zone and 25 pounds in the UK
They assumed immediate financing for 50 units, giving Tim much needed initial financial support and leaving enough for us at Homegrown.
Others from around the world are still welcomed, and will get seeds as soon as we have produced them. We are in an increase phase...
So people here are welcomed, for the costs just look a few lines up.
The details of what to do, how to do it and so on will be made available very soon to the participants.
In fact, we have been totally taken by surprise with the demand, but we are not alone: Dominique Guillet ( Xochipelli here ), the head of the organization, expected very low demand for rye.
Well, Koko's head office is drowning under demand, they are pulling their hair off in France.
All in all, as I said to Tim, it is an idea whose time has come, we could increase the size of the project by 100 and still be short, I am sure.
There is still much to be said about the work done and what we could do here, but I would like Tim to step in, I am only a worker here, he is the artist and the genious behind this project.
I simply feel blessed and incredibly lucky to have a chance to work with him. Most people here would dream to be in my shoes.
Thanks a lot for letting me share the joy Tim. I'll be eternally grateful for that chance of working with you...
