News From the Field: 

Cebu Seed Savers Field Visits and  Germination Testing 

Our newest team member Harry has been hard at work during his first two months in Cebu! He has conducted multiple field visits all over the island meeting the Cebu Seed Savers (CSS) and checking in on their seed saving progress. One of the CSS members is the Pestales Agriculture Co-Op. This farm is run by youth farmer entrepreneurs. These next generation farmers are committed to a vegetarian lifestyle and produce a wide variety of native vegetables and value added products for local markets. We are thrilled they are also committed to saving seeds!  Field visits not only allow us to see the farmers work in action, they also provide a time for the CSS members to learn from each other and build a community of farmers all working towards food and seed sovereignty. 

In addition, Harry has been busy conducting germination tests on all the seeds in the Cebu Seed Library. He has been testing for viability and to identify other varieties of seeds needed in the library. We are thrilled to have Harry's seed expertise on our team and his commitment to seeing the seed saving movement in Cebu continue to grow! 

Hello from GSS Cebu Coordinator Harry

Up-Coming Events

 Happy Hour Event in Oakland, CA

Tomorrow Thursday, July 25th 6:30pm-8:30pm

at Soul Provisions 

1629 Broadway Oakland, CA 

We are excited to be heading to the Bay Area this week to host a special happy hour event with our partners at Communities for Alternative Food EcoSystems Initiative (CAFEi). 

Join us in Oakland, CA this Thursday, July 25th to learn more about our dedicated partner farmers in the Philippines. Discounted pre-sale tickets are available here and include delicious Filipino fare and one drink. 

Not able to attend but still want to support our farmers? You can make a donation here!

Non-Profit Night  

at Crazy Mountain Brewery (Denver)

Wednesday, July 31st 6pm-8pm

471 Kalamath Street, Denver, Colorado 80204

Join us on July 31st for Non-Profit Night at Crazy Mountain Brewery in Denver. All proceeds from their delicious  Hookiebobb IPA poured from 4pm-close, will support our dedicated partner farmers in the Philippines. 

Our friends from Orange Crunch will also have their food truck outside from 5-8pm serving up some delicious Filipino Food for you to enjoy while you drink! 

RSVP via the Facebook Event Page or just show up . We hope to see you for some delicious brews supporting seed and food sovereignty next month!

June Campaign Success

Over $13,000 Raised 

Thanks to 96 donors we raised over $13,300 during our Annual June Campaign. We well surpassed our initial goal and our second increased goal.  Thanks to all that helped make this possible!

Your generosity will ensure more farmers have access to local seeds and the knowledge and confidence they need to build a food and seed sovereign world and continued resilience in the face of climate change. 

Thank you for investing in this important work and our dedicated partner farmers! 

Welcome Summer Intern

Annie Litten 

Join us in welcoming Annie to our team (as of June 2019). Annie is currently an undergraduate student at the University of Denver (Junior Year). She is majoring in Gender and Women's studies and has a Sustainability Minor. Throughout her studies she has found a passion in social equity work, both as it relates to gender and environmental resources. She is specifically interested in global food systems and sustainable agriculture. 

 

In her time with Global Seed Savers she is excited to learn more about how organizations can help facilitate food sovereignty and build resilient community networks. Annie will be managing our social media presence and assisting with organizing and marketing our 9th Annual Nourish Event in October. She anticipates that the internship will provide her with potential career paths in the non-profit sector. Welcome Annie! 

Exciting Grant Funding Received 

Hand in Hand Fund

We are thrilled to share that we have received a 5,000 Euro ($5,600 USD) grant from Hand in Hand-Fund  through   Deutsche Umwelthilfe  (Environmental Action Germany) to support our "Building Filipino Seed Entrepreneurs Program."

This is the first European funding we have received and will support the launching of a local seed business for the Benguet Association of Seed Savers (BASS) and increase the quantity and availability of local and indigenous seeds for a community of over 40,000 people in the Philippines. 

Seattle Area Peace Corps Association (SEAPAX) 

Thanks to the Seattle Area Peace Corps Association (SEAPAX) for awarding us a small grant ($325) last month. This support will allow for improvements at our founding seed library in Tublay, Benguet. 

We are thankful to have the support of SEAPAX to continue to see our dedicated partner farmers succeed.