When Seeds Are Scarce: Globalization and the Response of

Three Cultures

Robert E. RhoadesUniversity of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Objectives

Describe three cultures’ experiences with globalization and traditional plant loss

Present and compare three projects interfacing repatriation and in situ conservation

Glean lessons learned from local people and projects

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Backgrounds and Biases of PIs

Anthropologists in CGIAR (1970s-1990s) where Technocentric View of Germplasm dominated

Proponents of methodologies for linking cultural values with conservation and use

Advocates for People-First recovery, conservation, and utilization of indigenous germplasm and knowledge.

Memory Banking Model

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Three Cultures and Three Projects

Southern USA

Cotacachi, Ecuador

Vietnamese in USA

Southern Seed Legacy (USDA)

Farm of Ancestral Futures (USAID)

Introduced Germplasm from Vietnam (USDA)

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

American South: Erosion Forces

Small-scale farming disappearing Factory farming Out-migration and in-migration Walmartization/McDonaldization Loss of connection with the land Little official support for seed saving

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Seed for Sale

1936 No restrictions

1994 Report on % germination

2004 Lab test on % germination, purity, and noxious weeds

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

1980 UGA decides to destroy its apple collection

2004 UGA determines old-timey apple have better taste

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Southern Seed LegacySouthern Seed Legacy

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

SSL Objectives

1. Document “at risk” Landraces and Seed

Savers

2. Collect stories, knowledge, background

3. Create network of regional seedsavers

4. Build a link with US Germplasm System

5. Raise awareness

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

American South: Enriching Forces

Distinct and valued regional culture Traditional cuisine Strong kinship and community values Rituals, ceremonies, social gatherings Pockets and niches (physical and

social) of resistance

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Ernest Keheley: Southern Seed Saver

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Seminole Pea as a “Seed of Hope”

John Stevens, Liberty County, Georgia

Hoppin John

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Membership of SSL

Black Eyed Pea Sweet Tater ($20) Goober Pea ($30) Moon and Stars ($50 or more)

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

SSL Low Budget Network

Eight years old—five self-supporting 450 heirloom “accessions” Stories and life histories Annual newsletters and seed swap Seed saver award SSL directory (250 active seed

savers)

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

SANREM

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Cotacachi: Enriching Forces

Cultural revitalization Indigenous movement Andean crops as cultural symbols Agricultural and food rituals

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Cotacachi: Erosion Forces

Traditional farming decline (green revolution)

Dolarization and “economic restructuring”

“noodle”ization and “fast comida” Outmigration-low rural incomes International development/NGO?

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

SANREM-Andes

Repatriation of Traditional Crops in Cotacachi, Ecuador

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

“Complimentary Conservation and Sustainable Use of Sub-utilized Crops in Ecuador”: Rescue, Promotion and Use of Inter-Andean Phyto-genetic Resources of Ecuador USDA and Ecuadorian National Gene Bank Initiative PL480 initiative Crops were pre-selected by gene bank (tree-

tomato, cucurbitas, and hot peppers) Objectives are to strengthen food security and to

explore germplasm that is under-represented in the gene bank

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Memory Banking Project

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Basic PrinciplesBasic Principles

Earth is our motherEarth is our mother Survival by cooperationSurvival by cooperation Knowledge is sharedKnowledge is shared Spirit-material intertwinedSpirit-material intertwined Holistic Holistic DiversityDiversity

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Farm of Ancestral Futures

Participatory dialogue

Apply memory banking knowledge of the elders

“Minga” in highland farm to re-introduce vanishing Andean crops

Link national gene bank with local people

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Linaza

Quinua

Habas/Mellocoschochos

Ocas

Mashua

Potatoes before wheat

Habas

11/13/02 9/7/03

Potatoes-barley

quinua

Intersecting rows of quinua

chochos

ocas

habas

quinuachochos

ocas

peas

mashua

Papa chaucha replaced by barley

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Vietnamese in America

1975 Boat people Political prisoner Amerasian United with family                                     

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Introduced Germplasm from Vietnam to USA

Documentation

Collect seed samples

Recommendations to maintain

introduced germplasm in situ and

link with US gene bank

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Vietnamese in America: Erosion Forces

Displaced people

Americanization

Fast food

Climate and planting space

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Vietnamese homegardens

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Memory Banker Kathy Couch

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Results

Lincoln, Nebraska105 species (44 families, 70 genera)

Southwest Florida91 species Atlanta, Georgia 48 species

When controlled for climate species diversity as high in US gardens as in Vietnam

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Vietnamese in America: Enhancing Forces

Refugees and immigrants maintain cultural continuity and identity through seeds

Crops and gardens as mechanisms for adaptation

Food ways and food as symbol/ritual important

Informal seed networks work Great potential for emerging ethnic markets

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Comparisons

Globalization disappearance or unavailability of traditional plants

Localization counterforce which stresses cultural values

Cultural memory is key element Place (or “recreated place”) is critical People, left alone, are effective seed

savers and disseminators of diversity

Sustainable Human Ecosystems Laboratory, Dept. of Anthropology, University of Georgia

Lessons for Repatriation where “Seeds are Scarce”

Culture and memory are great motivators

Follow the people (visual and oral) Do not over-design Start slow, start small ________________?