Issue 017 follows Hugh Williams through a CSA seed-saving program, covering crop selection, harvest logistics, and a proposed cooperative seed network. The complete PDF contains printed pages 1–8.
Published by The Josephine Porter InstituteDownload PDF↗
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Archive note: The complete Issue 017 PDF contains all eight printed pages across four landscape scans in printer-imposition order: 8|1, 2|7, 6|3, and 4|5.
Seed saving on a biodynamic CSA farm
In Nick Franceschelli’s 1996 interview, Hugh Williams walks through his orchard-and-garden farm near Philmont, New York, then serving about 150 CSA households for a thirty-week vegetable season. He describes saving seed from leeks, peppers, basil, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, beans, and squash while continuing food production. He calls herbs and flowers that also supply seed “incidental seed crops.”
Williams describes compost piles made with biodynamic preparations, two or three BD 500 sprayings per year at that time, and regional preparation-making around Michaelmas. He points to an even stand of biodynamic Rothild carrots, a sixth basil cutting from his own seed, and productive Provider beans being left for seed. These are his 1996 farm-practice and crop observations.
A farm-based seed network
Williams explains his original proposal for thirty participating farms each to grow one open-pollinated seed variety, sharing the work of selection and supply across a network. He says the network runs seed tests and makes reliable, high-quality farm-grown seed its first priority, with separately supported research as a later goal.
How did Hugh Williams use biodynamic preparations alongside seed saving?
In the 1996 interview, Williams says he used the preparations in every compost pile and sprayed BD 500 two or three times a year. He also describes regional preparation-making near Michaelmas while saving farm-grown seed for leeks, peppers, basil, lettuce, and other CSA crops.
How does Williams integrate seed saving into CSA production?
He describes “incidental seed crops” within ordinary herb, flower, and vegetable beds, allowing selected crops to supply seed while the farm continues its market and CSA work.
What positive seed and crop observations did Williams report?
Williams points to an even stand of biodynamic Rothild carrots, a sixth basil cutting from his own seed, productive Provider beans left for seed, and Stuttgart onions selected on-farm. He says the seed network runs tests and aims to offer high-quality farm-grown seed.
Why does Williams propose a cooperative seed network?
Williams proposes a diversified, farm-based network: in his original plan, 30 farms could each produce one open-pollinated variety. Shared selection and seed production would build a reliable supply for biodynamic growers, with separately supported research as a later step.
