About Our Partners
The Kohala Center is collaborating with several individuals, institutions, and organizations to bring together knowledgeable and inspirational leaders to address topics relating to the development of organic seed. The following partners comprise the Seed Symposium Planning Team:
Hector R. Valenzuela, Ph.D., Crop Extension Specialist, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawai‘i (UH) at Mānoa
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/site/
Theodore J.K. Radovich, Ph.D., Sustainable Farming Systems Laboratory, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, UH Mānoa
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/RadovichT/cv.html
William Steiner, Ph.D., Dean, College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources (CAFNR), UH Hilo
http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/cafnrm/
Bruce Mathews, Ph.D., Professor, CAFNR, UH Hilo
http://www.uhh.hawaii.edu/academics/cafnrm/
Alvin Yoshinaga, Restoration Ecologist, Center for Conservation Research and Training, UH Mānoa
http://www.hawaii.edu/ccrt/CCRTOnline/Home.html
Dan Hobbs, Executive Director of the Organic Seed Alliance
http://www.seedalliance.org/
Matthew Dillon, Director of Advocacy, Organic Seed Alliance
http://www.seedalliance.org/
Micaela Colley, Director of Research and Education, Organic Seed Alliance
http://www.seedalliance.org/
Debbie Ward, Quality Control Officer, Hawai‘i Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
http://www.hawaiiorganic.org/
Nancy Redfeather, Coordinator of Seed Symposium, Board Member Organic Seed Growers and Trade Association (OSGATA), Program Director Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network, Coordinator Hawai‘i Island Seed Exchange, The Kohala Center
http://www.kohalacenter.org/HISGN/about.html
About the Organic Seed Alliance
Mission: The Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) supports the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed. We accomplish our goals through collaborative education, advisory services, and research programs with organic farmers and other seed professionals.
Vision: Seed is both our common cultural heritage and a living natural resource fundamental to the future sustainability of food production. Proper stewardship of our genetic resources necessitates not only their conservation, but careful management in a manner which allows seed to continually evolve in response to environmental challenges, cultural practices of sustainable agriculture, and the need to feed people. Through advocacy, collaborative education, advisory services, and research, we work to restore and develop seed varieties for current needs while safeguarding invaluable genetic resources for future generations.
Programs: OSA Programs include educational opportunities, workshops, and publications aimed at increasing genetic conservation and improving organic seed production, plant breeding for organic agriculture, and developing healthy seed systems. Programs also include Collaborative Research and Advisory Services, as well as the World Seed Fund. Visit www.seedalliance.org for more information.