About this episode

Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman discuss global seed ownership and the importance of seed saving in this episode.

Join our monthly Seed Chat at SeedChat.org In This Podcast: In this monthly Seed Chat, Greg Peterson and Bill McDorman explore the global rules governing seed ownership, seed saving, biodiversity, and agricultural policy. The conversation dives into international treaties, plant patenting, farmers’ rights, and the growing tension between the Global North and Global South over control of genetic resources. Bill shares firsthand experiences attending United Nations treaty negotiations and working with Indigenous seed sovereignty issues through Native Seeds/SEARCH. The episode also highlights why everyday gardeners and farmers should become “seed citizens” by saving and sharing locally adapted seeds. Bill McDorman is a renowned seed saver, educator, and advocate for agricultural biodiversity. He co-founded the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance and has spent decades teaching gardeners and farmers how to grow, save, and share heirloom seeds. Through workshops, speaking, and mentorship, Bill inspires communities to strengthen local food systems, preserve regional seed diversity, and protect seed sovereignty for future generations. Key Topics Seed libraries and locally adapted seed sharing…

People in this episode

Host: Greg Peterson

Guest: Bill McDorman

Topics covered

• seed saving
• biodiversity
• agricultural policy
• farmers' rights
• seed sovereignty
• plant patenting
• genetic resources

Keywords

• seed saving
• biodiversity
• farmers' rights
• plant patenting
• genetic resources
• seed sovereignty
• agricultural policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Native Seeds/SEARCH, Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, United Nations, World Trade Organization, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, UPOV

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