Cercatori di Semi, together in defense of biodiversity
I remember the seeds my grandmother dried, the care she took to grow the plants in the garden that supported the whole family. I remember the myriad colors of the market, where we brought pumpkins and eggplants of every shape. The smell of coffee roasting on small stoves for hours, the stone mortars where teff was turned into flour and then ground in a single process.
The Ethiopia of my childhood, many years ago.
Just stroll through any local market today to see how biodiversity is dwindling in favor of a few commercially selected varieties, suitable for transport and large-scale production but disastrously dependent on massive pesticide treatments.
These products of irresponsible agriculture ensure that local, ancient varieties, selected from garden to garden for quality
organoleptic properties, resistance to plant diseases, and the soil and climate conditions of their place of origin, are disappearing, taking with them a precious legacy. Cercatori di Semi was born from an awareness of the importance of local ecotypes and their protection, such as:
Production and conservation of local ecotype seeds
We grow on an estate just outside Rome, where we reproduce the seeds of local varieties that are disappearing and partly conserve them in our seed bank. and part distribute them free of charge through our shop to ensure its survival. You can report a variety to us that deserves saving and help reproduce and distribute it to ensure its survival. Go to the report a variety page
Dissemination of seed production techniques
We cultivate to save the seeds that rest in our bank, we promote biodiversity by disseminating techniques for producing and preserving seeds on your own, such as the periodic guides that can be downloaded for free.
Meetings in primary schools
We bring biodiversity to primary schools through meetings where children can understand the importance of protecting it. We believe that education is crucial; when one corporation falls, another will emerge, but with awareness and information, we can change direction, and this task must be entrusted to children, the future beneficiaries of our work. Go to the education page
Melissa Project to Help Bees
Cercatori di Semi is also involved in some parallel projects, such as the Melissa project to help bees inspired by research by the University of Pisa, By cultivating the Greater Widow's Willow and distributing its seeds free of charge, either pure or mixed to create wildflower strips in vegetable gardens to encourage pollinators. This project has had a huge following and could lead to exceptional results. Go to the Melissa project page.
Supporting Seed Seekers, from volunteering to donations
A good opportunity to help us and learn is to volunteer at the estate , to learn sustainable agriculture techniques, how to pollinate and prepare seeds for conservation. go to the volunteering page
The association is self-funded, and donations are vital. You can decide where to help, from projects to building our headquarters. Go to the donations page.
Cercatori di Semi is a non-profit association.
Together we can do a lot, and I hope you agree with the saying that “we borrow these genetic resources from our children.”