News From the Field: 
Improved Farming Equipment Purchased 
Thanks to Typhoon Relief Funds
 
Earlier this month, the members of the Benguet Association of Seed Savers (BASS) agreed to use the Typhoon Relief Funds (raised last year) to support the purchasing of shared farm equipment and tools. 

Four hand tractors are now being shared among the 20 BASS members. The BASS Officers have a system to track equitable use of the tools and we are thrilled to be able to assist farmers with this support. Thank you to our generous donors who helped make this possible! 

BASS Farmer Member and Seed School Teacher, Anita Sinkay, shared the following about receiving these tools:  " Thank you Global Seed Savers for a wonderful gift to BASS members...it's really an inspiration to small farmers." 

Welcome BASS Farmer Field Coordinator 
Elizabeth Martin

We are excited to welcome BASS Farmer,  Elizabeth Martin, to the Global Seed Savers Team!  Elizabeth will be the new BASS Field Coordinator. In this role she will be responsible for conducting filed visits, monitoring and evaluating BASS Member seed production in the field, and supporting the development of seed sales. 

Elizabeth has been an active member of BASS since 2017. She is also a member and organic farming inspector for the LaTrinidad Organic Farming Practitioners Association (LaTop), the region's largest organic farming cooperative. 

Last year during Typhoon Makghut, Elizabeth and her family lost their home and farmland due to a devastating landslide. We are excited to be able to help Elizabeth re-build her livelihood through this role and support the expansion and quality of BASS Farmers seed production.
Become a Monthly Donor
Help Restore Food Sovereignty

Did you know most Filipino Farmers live on an average of $1,000 a year?  Access to local seeds saves them on average more than $100 a year . 

We have big plans in the coming years to ensure communities across the Philippines gain access to our programs and we need your help! 

Strategic Goals in the Next 3 Years:
  • Host six Seed Schools in 2019, training an additional 200 farmers. 
  • Open 8 Seed Libraries in strategic regions of the Philippines by 2021. 
  • Train an additional 5,000 farmers and communities in seed saving by 2021.
  • Launch Seed Entrepreneur Program helping farmers scale and increase their seed production to meet market demands and improve their incomes. 
Becoming a monthly sustaining donor today is an easy way to help us reach these goals! 
  Donations of any size make an impact, but we suggest a $25 a month commitment. $25 a month is roughly 4 lattes a month now donated to a farmer that is feeding the world and building their own resiliency. 

 Help us continue to restore food sovereignty by becoming a monthly donor today!

Up-Coming Events

Help Raise Kneaded  Dough
Wednesday, March 13th 4pm-10pm
Pizzeria Locale 
(32nd and Lowell Location in the Highlands)

Join us for our first fundraiser of the year! Enjoy delicious pizza and more at Pizzeria Locale in the West Highlands on 32nd and Lowell and 30% of your check including alcohol will be donated to us.

RSVP via the Facebook Event Page or just show up and... remember to tell the cashier you are there for Global Seed Savers to make sure your support is registered.



Mahal Poetry Workshop 
with Meta Sarmiento 
Saturday, March 16th 11am-1pm 
at the Posner Center for International Development 

We are excited to help our friend and talented  poet and writer Meta Sarmiento host this workshop next month!  Meta received a grant from the Denver Asian American Pacific Islanders Commission (DAAPIC)  to host the workshop. 

"Mahal" is a Filipino (Tagalog) word. Depending on how and when you say it, "mahal"can mean two things: love or expensive.   During the workshop, participants will explore the role that love plays in our own cultures and weigh what that might cost. Learn more about the event here . 

Film Screening of  ULAM: Main Dish
Thursday, April 18th 6pm-8pm 
at the Posner Center for International Development

Mark your calendars and join us for a fun evening celebrating all things Filipino Food and Culture on Thursday, April 18th! 

Ulam: Main Dish, is a feature length documentary film about the rise of Filipino Food in the United States. This new culinary movement is not only a remarkable achievement for American restaurateurs, but also as a validation of Filipino culture. The film confronts issues inherent in representing both Filipino and American identity, and challenges from both the Filipino community and the world at large. Ultimately, ULAM is a celebration - and confirmation - that Filipino food, and Filipinos, are here to stay.  More information and event tickets available here! 
Global Seed Savers

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