WORKING GROUPS
We're beginning a pre-awareness phase: building the case for why biodiversity and regional seed systems matter, expanding who's part of the conversation, and identifying seed system nodes across the country.
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Out of that work, we're developing two labeling tracks. The regional labeling track is building shared definitions and a visual mark for seed catalogs, with a target launch in August 2026. The cultural labeling track is a separate, longer-term effort led by BIPOC seed stewards and knowledge holders to develop a cultural attribution framework on their own timeline.
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How we're organized:
LSC uses sociocracy as our governance model. That means decisions are made by consent (no one has a paramount objection), not by majority vote. Authority is distributed across small working circles, each with a defined focus area. No single person or circle controls the whole.
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Learn more about the working Groups:
Regional Labeling
Group members develop the shared definitions, criteria, and icon system that will make seed origins visible across catalogs, packets, and seed library collections; building the common language growers and seed companies need to identify and support regionally adapted seed. The time commitment is still TBD, but likely to be one or more 60 to 90-minute meetings per month, approximately 2 to 4 hours of async work between meetings, with a six-month term. What members gain: Direct authorship of a regional seed labeling standard, experience with sociocratic decision-making in a real coalition context, relationships across a 70+ partner national seed network, and skills in standards development and multi-stakeholder facilitation. You are a good fit if you have hands-on experience with seed — as a farmer, seed steward, plant breeder, seed librarian, or seed company staff — or bring relevant knowledge in agronomy, regional ecology, or standards development. You're comfortable with early-stage collaborative work, can help make technical language accessible to diverse audiences, and are ready to do the definitional groundwork before the more visible design work begins. Current priorities: Develop shared definitions and criteria for regional seed labeling Map seed source regions and assess existing regional frameworks Build the input pipeline for broader community review of definitions before design begins
Governance
Group members steward the budget, shape fundraising strategy, coordinate groups, and manage how the coalition operates. Form Subgroups as needed. The Time commitment is one 60-90-minute meeting per month, approximately 2–6 hours of async work between meetings, with a six month term, renewable by consent. Who serves here: The General Coordinator, one consent-elected delegate from each of the three domain circles, and up to two additional at-large members with relevant experience in nonprofit governance, finance, or coalition operations. What members gain: Hands-on experience in sociocratic governance, a role in shaping a national seed coalition during its founding year, access to the LSC partner network, and fundraising and coalition-building skills that transfer to any organizing context. Current priorities: Finalize circle membership and create starting structure and processes Propose and agree on a budget Identify interim leaders and processes for the additional working groups Build the intake and onboarding process for incoming circle members Develop fundraising strategies
Cultural Labeling
The Cultural Labeling circle supports seed stewards, Indigenous knowledge holders, and cultural practitioners in building a framework that recognizes whose knowledge a seed carries, including stewardship lineage, attribution, and data sovereignty principles. LSC's role here is to provide infrastructure and support, not to author or direct the framework. This work moves at the speed of community trust. The time commitment is TBD and will be set by circle members. Participation includes facilitated community conversations and relationship-building that may not fit a standard meeting cadence. What members gain: A founding role in a community-led process with real authority over its own scope and timeline, connection to a national network of seed stewards and cultural knowledge holders, and experience building governance frameworks that center data sovereignty and equitable attribution. You are a good fit if you are a BIPOC seed steward, Indigenous knowledge keeper, cultural practitioner, or community organizer with experience working at the intersection of seed, culture, and sovereignty. You understand why self-determined timelines matter, bring relationships with communities whose knowledge deserves protection, and are interested in building frameworks that are accountable to those communities first.
Awareness and Messaging
This group builds and runs the public-facing campaign that helps growers, gardeners, and the broader food community understand why seed origins matter. This groups's work runs parallel to both labeling tracks, it is developing messaging, creating materials, supporting partner organizations in spreading the word, and building the social media presence needed to reach audiences well beyond the existing seed community. The August 2026 campaign launch is the near-term milestone this circle is working toward. The time commitment is still TBD, but likely to be one or more 60 to 90-minute meetings per month, approximately 2 to 4 hours of async work between meetings, with a six-month term. What members gain: Hands-on experience building a national awareness campaign from the ground up, relationships across a partner seed network, and transferable skills in coalition communications, content strategy, and train-the-trainer program design. You are a good fit if you have experience in communications, content creation, social media strategy, community education, or campaign organizing, and you care about making complex ideas accessible to people who aren't already seed nerds. Experience with train-the-trainer models, press outreach, or multilingual messaging is a plus. Current priorities: Confirm circle lead and membership Develop core messaging framework and campaign materials Build out the train-the-trainer program for partner organizations Establish social media presence
Advisor Group
A trusted sounding board for the coalition, bringing outside expertise, broader networks, and strategic perspective to support LSC's work. Advisory members do not hold decision-making authority within the circles, but their input is taken seriously and actively sought. The time commitment is one 60–90-minute meeting per quarter, with occasional async input between meetings. You are a good fit if you work at a nonprofit committed to seed sovereignty, food system equity, or regional agriculture at a national scale, and you bring expertise in areas like labeling and standards development, communications, policy, Indigenous food sovereignty, or food system finance. You're willing to offer honest perspective, make connections, and show up consistently, even without a vote.