By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

CAPTAIN COOK, Hawaii: In South Kona, today we report on a West Hawaii Seed Exchange set for November 5th.

According to the Kohala Center, Island farmers and gardeners who save seed are invited to attend the annual West Hawai‘i Seed Exchange from 2–4 p.m. Saturday, November 5, at the Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook. The exchange coincides with the garden’s annual Arbor Day Plant Give-Away.
Farmers and gardeners are invited to bring saved seed, cuttings, huli, and corms of food crops that grow well in home gardens and on farms.

Organizers say that you bring envelopes to gather seed, and be sure to name the known varieties that you bring.

The goal of this annual gathering is to network seed among home gardeners and local farmers. Organizers say seed is the foundation of our food sources, and since 1900, 97 percent of varieties grown in home gardens in the United States has been lost. Sharing knowledge and varieties will encourage home production and food security for West Hawaii.

If you have not yet started a home garden, please come, meet experienced gardeners, and talk story about locally adapted varieties you can grow to feed your family.

For more information, please contact Diana Duff at hokudi@aol.com.