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No Seed... No Food
The Ecologist, 10th May, 2017
The Seed Co-operative only sells open pollinated seeds. While 75 per cent of our seeds are controlled by three large coorporations, the Seed Co-operative focuses on diversity to provide the basis for a resilient food system and biodiversity.
Read more in the Ecologist
Rodelika – a carrot known for good taste
The carrot variety “Rodelika” was bred by the organic plant breeder Dietrich Bauer on the German biodynamic mixed farm “Dottenfelder Hof”. It is a selection of the older variety “Rothild” (Red Giant, Group type “Rothild”). Rodelika has mainly been selected for delicious, sweet and nutty taste, but also for intensively orange colour and a good morphology. Breeding work started in 1985, first good results are reported from 1990, but the official registration of the variety was only achieved in 1998.
Rodelika is nowadays grown in many organic farms and can be found in the fresh vegetable section of many organic food stores. It is delicious to nibble it right away, great for salads, but also good for cooking. Rodelika also finds its way to the consumer in many processed products: Carrot juice and baby food for example.
The Rodelika history has also been presented on the first IFOAM breeding conference 2009 in Santa Fe.
Organic cereal varieties on the rise
What does it need to increase the uptake of organically bred varieties in organic farming? Most likely it needs good varieties provided by an experienced breeder who knows the needs and conditions of the organic farms. Moreover, advisors that are committed to promote organic varieties are very helpful. And arrangements that enable farmers to see and compare how organic varieties perform. In the German Region of Baden-Württemberg, the cultivation of organically bred varieties are about to become the standard practice among organic cereal growers. This is due to good cooperation between advisors and breeders as well as demonstration trials and regular field days where farmers can get a clear picture of the organic varieties.
No Seed... No Food
The Ecologist, 10th May, 2017
The Seed Co-operative only sells open pollinated seeds. While 75 per cent of our seeds are controlled by three large coorporations, the Seed Co-operative focuses on diversity to provide the basis for a resilient food system and biodiversity.
Read more in the Ecologist
Rodelika – a carrot known for good taste
The carrot variety “Rodelika” was bred by the organic plant breeder Dietrich Bauer on the German biodynamic mixed farm “Dottenfelder Hof”. It is a selection of the older variety “Rothild” (Red Giant, Group type “Rothild”). Rodelika has mainly been selected for delicious, sweet and nutty taste, but also for intensively orange colour and a good morphology. Breeding work started in 1985, first good results are reported from 1990, but the official registration of the variety was only achieved in 1998.
Rodelika is nowadays grown in many organic farms and can be found in the fresh vegetable section of many organic food stores. It is delicious to nibble it right away, great for salads, but also good for cooking. Rodelika also finds its way to the consumer in many processed products: Carrot juice and baby food for example.
The Rodelika history has also been presented on the first IFOAM breeding conference 2009 in Santa Fe.
Organic cereal varieties on the rise
What does it need to increase the uptake of organically bred varieties in organic farming? Most likely it needs good varieties provided by an experienced breeder who knows the needs and conditions of the organic farms. Moreover, advisors that are committed to promote organic varieties are very helpful. And arrangements that enable farmers to see and compare how organic varieties perform. In the German Region of Baden-Württemberg, the cultivation of organically bred varieties are about to become the standard practice among organic cereal growers. This is due to good cooperation between advisors and breeders as well as demonstration trials and regular field days where farmers can get a clear picture of the organic varieties.