Meet OGC Mission Fund Recipient: Organic Seed Alliance

Seeds are the foundation of life on earth. The future of our food supply, and everything else, hinges on a healthy seed supply. But seed industry consolidation, intellectual property restrictions and climate change are threatening this tiny yet essential resource. 

That’s where Organic Seed Alliance comes in. They’re fighting back and putting the power of seed into the hands of farmers, advocating for organic seeds and carrying out research to improve varieties.  

OSA has trained thousands of farmers using an in the field and hands-in-the-soil approach. Farmers learn the seed varieties by breeding, testing and evaluating the crops, making sure that they’re nutritious and tasty. OSA also partners with universities across the country to test varieties in different environments. Here at OGC, we have partnered with OSA on a few research projects including, most famously, the development of a deliciously colorful winter crop – Purple Sprouting Broccoli.  

In 2023, OGC awarded OSA a Mission Fund grant. They plan to use the money to fund their biannual Organic Seed Growers Conference and for general operating funds. The conference is the largest gathering of seed growers in the U.S. with workshops, a farm tour and more.  

“It’s critical to have broader education and promotion of organically grown crops that are started with organic seed. The Mission Fund grant provides a foundation for the Organic Seed Growers Conference and gives us the ability to respond to grower needs as they arise. That's really valuable, because a lot of our projects are funded by federal grants, which is great, but they’re earmarked for specific projects, which doesn’t leave a lot left over,” noted Micaela Colley, Research & Education Co-Director at OSA. 

Organic Seed Alliance is just one of the many organizations OGC’s Mission Fund supported in 2023. Find a list of all our recent grant recipients here.