The Seeds of a New Economy

[marmar]

via CommonDreams:



Published on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 by Civil Eats
The Seeds of a New Economy

by Naomi Starkman


With the economy in shambles and banks closing across the country, a ray of light has appeared: a former bank in Petaluma, California has been reborn as a new heirloom seed bank. And the timing could not be better. From the White House garden to your garden, growth in the good food movement, coupled with a recession and concerns about food safety, has led to a resurgence in seed sales and revived interest in growing, canning and cooking your own. Imagine: out of the failing financial institutions languishing on the Main Streets of America, real economic stability and prosperity taking root and blooming. Empty banks across the country could be transformed into warehouses of independence and sustainability.

Less than an hour north of San Francisco, the aptly named Seed Bank is the brain child of Jeremiah Gettle, 28, founder of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds based in Mansfield, Missouri. Gettle said he was searching for a historic site and fell in love with the building, the former Petaluma County National Bank. He felt Petaluma, located in Sonoma County, was the perfect spot. "This whole region is full of people growing, eating and supporting local food," Gettle said. "In California, half of our customers live within an hour's drive, and they're very excited that we're here."

Store Manager Paul Wallace said that the Seed Bank has been packed since it opened in early June with people from all over making the pilgrimage to marvel and buy rare seeds. (Weekenders, take note: for now, the Seed Bank is only opened Monday through Friday.) Bestsellers include carrots, squash, melon and beets (so there, President Obama). The store plans on selling local producers' artisan foods and crafts, including tools. Wallace said that the magnificent hall will also serve as a community center and gathering space.

The building been transformed by beautiful handmade wood shelves built to order by Amish crews brought in from the Ozarks. Row after row of neatly stacked packed heirloom varietals of lettuces, tomatoes, radishes, herbs stand at attention in their individual boxes. Light flooding in through the bank's high windows illuminates the brightly painted signs, which read, "Pure, natural non-GMO seeds and sundries" and "Save money invest in your garden." Along with an incredible array of seeds, the store stocks many books, magazines and a few gardening knives. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/07/22-7

[GliderGuider]

1. I thought Monsanto had the market cornered...

Seriously, we need a lot more efforts like this. Kudos to them.

[silverweb]

2. Nice!

I'd love to visit.

:kick: