Wild Garden Breeder's Mix Quinoa

Wild Garden Breeder's Mix Quinoa

Regular price $4.00 Sale

Chenopodium quinoa

Origin: Philomath, Oregon

Improvement status: Breeding population

Seeds per packet: ~100

Germination tested 08/2024: 95%

Life cycle: Annual

We're so excited to be offering this incredibly diverse population of quinoas from Frank Morton and Wild Garden Seed. As you may know, the huge increase in demand for quinoa in North America over recent years has resulted in prices skyrocketing in its native South America. In order to take the strain off of indigenous people for whom quinoa is a staple, it's critical that we in North America become quinoa producers as well, to meet our domestic demand. Quinoa is a wonderful dual use crop, with edible leaves and delicious seeds (treated like a grain, but technically a pseudo-cereal, because the plant is not a grass). Please let us know how this one does for you!

Here's what Frank says about it: "We are engaged in a 5 year quinoa breeding project supported by the Clif Bar Family Foundation. One goal of the project is to increase the availability of quinoa germplasm that is adapted to growing in North America, and to share that germplasm with others involved in local attempts to develop regionally adapted varieties. One way to do this is to create and distribute finished varieties. Another way is to offer breeder mixes with diverse genetics for others to screen in other places. That's what this mix is. The same genetics we are exploring here offered for others to try wherever you are. Because quinoa is self-pollinating, selection is a straightforward and intuitive process, and thousands of varieties are possible. Find your quinoa here. Farm Original Variety!"

This variety carries the Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI) pledge, which states: “You have the freedom to use these OSSI-Pledged seeds in any way you choose. In return, you pledge not to restrict other's use of these seeds or their derivatives by patents or other means, and to include this pledge with any transfer of these seeds or their derivatives.” More information on OSSI can be found at osseeds.org.