Westport, CT - On Thursday, March 7, the Westport Farmers’ Market will celebrate its best season to date by hosting its annual seed exchange.
“Collecting, sharing and growing seeds -- especially heirloom varieties saved by our very own shoppers, farmers and vendors -- involves the community personally in the promotion of local food and flora,” said Lori Cochran-Dougall, Executive Director of the WFM. “This year more than ever we want to seed the year with love and health.”
WFM values education. To support its understanding of seed saving and the utmost importance this effort creates, the Market has invited Dina Brewster from Eco59 to speak on the topic throughout the farmers’ market. Eco59 is a farmer-led seed collective from Connecticut.
“An important part of the Eco59 mission is to heal a broken landscape. The systematic displacement of people, the destruction of the environment and the consequent loss of abundance is a direct result of not honoring our relationship with the land around us. I view our work -- growing ecotypic seed to restore native plants in the Northeast -- as a reminder of all that has been lost and all that we must work to restore," said Brewster.
The public is invited to bring seeds they have saved from their own gardens or simply take home a few saved by others. WFM farmers will donate seeds from their favorite crops for the community to try at home. All seeds except those of invasive species* are welcome, however, the market is requesting people to bring and take home heirloom or organic varieties.
“Heirloom seeds are critical to reclaiming our food system,” continued Cochran-Dougall. “These are open-pollinated plants that have been passed down from generation to generation without human intervention or manipulation. They taste better, are more nutritious and help protect plant diversity.”
*For a list of plants considered invasive in Connecticut, please visit the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group at UConn here: https://cipwg.uconn.edu/invasive_plant_list/#
The Westport Farmers Market is committed to providing fresh, local, healthy and seasonal food. We aspire to create a fun, safe and healthy community environment for education and socialization. Our mission is to increase awareness, knowledge and support for local producers
focused on sustainable and healthy growing practices.
WFM receives philanthropic support from:
Abramson & Company LLC; Aitoro Appliance; Alma Mexican Food; Boxcar Cantina; Cohen and Wolf; Compass Realty, Riolo Team; Dharma Massage Therapy; Doc’s Maple; Don Memo; The Drew Friedman Community Arts Center; Gault Family Companies; Gilbertie’s Herbs & Garden Center; LeafGuard; Pause + Purpose; Pure Barre; Sugar & Olives; Terrain; Wave Hill Breads; and Wells Hill Farm.
For more information, visit www.westportfarmersmarket.com email
director@westportfarmersmarket.com, and follow @westportfarmersmarket on Facebook and Instagram.