About the Local Seeds Coalition

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The Local Seeds Coalition is fiscally sponsored by IFOAM  North America, a duly recognized Regional Body of the International Federation of Agriculture Movements.    

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IFOAM North America strengthens and connects the organic and agroecological movement across the U.S. and Canada by providing coordination, policy leadership, and support for organizations advancing ecological, socially just, and regenerative agriculture. This Regional Body further serves as a connection to the global network held by IFOAM - Organics International. 

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The Local Seeds Coalition has established a steering committee as a developing feature of pooling resources and common purposes among seed communities and nonprofits. This committee will enhance collaboration and ensure effective progress towards shared goals. The collective efforts of the  committee will leverage its diversity of expertise in promoting sustainable.agriculture.

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Get in touch: LocalSeeds@GoingToSeed.org

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                               Read the Report:

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Writing Acknowledgements: 

The funding proposal was written with help from Chanda Robinson Banks, Julia Dakin, Michelle Dang, David Gould, Edmund Frost, and Mike Bollinger and others.  It was edited by  Masha Zager and Alan Lewis, with design and formatting by Miguel Olvera.   Regional labeling was inspired by Seed Worker Organizing and Molly Travis.  Ideas were contributed by everyone in the team listed above. 

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Our evolving  team includes representatives from leading national and international nonprofits: 

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1. Labeling System Development and Standards

• Amy June Breesman, Local Contexts.   Develops Indigenous-led labels for seed stewardship and community governance (existing). 

• Edmund Frost, Seed Worker  Organizing.  Advise on ethical guidelines and shared language for label use.

• Bonetta Adeeb,  Ujamaa Seeds.  Provides guidance on culturally relevant seed labels, seed-to-table integration,  and equitable outreach/support for BIPOC seed growers and seed companies.

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2. Awareness and Engagement

• Rebecca Newburn, Seed Library Network.  Leads seed library implementation;  label translation. 

• Michael Bollinger, Seed Savers Exchange.   Provides guidance on commercial-scale adoption of labels.

• Hélène Bourre, Vergers du Monde.   Creates awareness materials (social media and a book). 

• Gabriele Maneo, Strengthening International Seed Networks.   Coordinates alignment with international seed sovereignty networks. 

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3. Mapping & Regional Seed Infrastructure

• David Gould,  International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) Seeds Platform.  Contributes to process facilitation,  map development; aligns mapping and standards with international organic frameworks. 

• Steph Hughes & Melody Reese, Community Seed Network. Will coordinate the development of a consumer-facing regional seed company map. 

• Michelle Dang, SeedChange & Bauta Family Initiative. Project Role: Provides guidance on farmer and youth engagement and alignment with Canadian seed networks.

• Molly Travis, Organic Seed Alliance. Provides guidance on ecological framing for regional labels.

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The 2025 Team

Toby Cain

• Coalition Convener and strategist​

Julia Dakin

• Project manager and administrative support​

Miguel Olvera

• Volunteer coordinator, design and facilitation for presentations, reports and proposals​

Melanie Levy

• Research analyst and advisor​

Anna Mieritz

• Meeting facilitation 

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Thank you to our volunteers who interviewed 96 people: 

Anna Mieritz

Gregg Mueller

Janna Mintz

Julia Dakin

Katie Filar

Michelle Dang

Miguel Olvera​​​​

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​Coalition Members: 

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