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The Seed Farmer PodcastAuthor: Dan Brisebois
The Seed Farmer Podcast with Dan Brisebois of Tourne-Sol Co-operative Farm. Every episode I'm going to bring you a conversation with a grower who has integrated Saving Seeds into their own farm systems. Some grow seed crops to sell commercially and some do it just for their own farm use. I'm hoping their stories will make you want to save seed on your own farm... and if you already save seed on your farm, I hope it makes you want to save more! Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Nature, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Ep. 55 Seed Workers Unite - Edmund Frost, Commonwealth Seed Growers
Wednesday, 25 February, 2026
Edmund Frost is a seed grower and plant breeder based at Twin Oaks Community in Virginia. He is the manager of Commonwealth Seed Growers, a cooperative seed company focused on regionally adapted varieties for the Southeast. In this episode, Edmund shares the hidden realities of contract growing and his efforts to build a Seed Workers Union through the Seed Worker Organizing project to advocate for fair wages and better working conditions. We discuss the transition of Commonwealth Seed Growers into a co-operative model, the importance of self-advocacy when negotiating seed contracts, and how seed stewardship provides farmers with a resilient insurance policy against the disappearance of commercial hybrid varieties. In the deep dive, Edmund and I get into Cucurbit Breeding. We cover the devastating impact of Downy Mildew since the 2004 pathogen shift and how Edmund uses vine tracing to select for truly resistant plants. Edmund also shares his exciting work crossing Korean and Brazilian genetics to create a summer squash that is naturally immune to Squash Vine Borers. Enjoy the conversation! Support the Seed Farmer Podcast http://spreadsheet.farm/supportpodcast Episode links Common Wealth Seed Growers website Common Wealth Seed Growers on instagram Seed Worker Organizing website Twin Oaks Community website News Links Visit LocalSeeds.org to support A Campaign to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Seeds. Stay in Touch Follow the Seed Farmer on instagram Get my weekly seed newsletter Order Tourne-Sol seeds (Canadian orders only) Get my new book The Seed Farmer https://danbrisebois.com/seedfarmerbook/ ❤️ Thanks for listening!
