Locally grown grains
and seeds matter
Southwest Grain Collaborative is focused on developing seed resources for Southwest farmers. We work with farmers to develop diversified regenerative organic cropping systems that lead to improved soil health, water conservation, and delicious, nutrient-rich crops. We encourage farmer-to-farmer networking and knowledge-sharing, and facilitate market connections. Our process blends research, education, and production.
We aim to show that reduced-input, ecologically sound farming operations concentrating on the vitality of the soil can be economically viable, producing abundant, sustained yields of high-quality crops. Our principal objective is scaling cover crop seed for commercial distribution, which will provide a crucial service to regenerative organic farmers.
Conserving
and Cultivating Agrobiodiversity
Cover and Forage
Crop Seed
Using a participatory seed breeding approach, we’re committed to developing varieties of regionally adapted cover and forage crop seed to be grown at scale by Southwest farmers for Southwest farmers. The notion of growing locally selected cultivars for certified organic seed production has until now not been fully explored in this part of the country. Supplying such seed represents an important new economic opportunity for local farmers.
Ancient Corn,
Heritage Grains
and Beans
Responding to emerging market opportunities, we’ve worked to propagate and increase seed stocks of ancient corn and heritage small grain and bean varieties. We see the potential for fostering an agricultural revival in New Mexico, focused on traditional Southwestern staple crops grown by generations of farmers. By supporting plantings across diverse ecogeographic settings, we’re beginning to restore a formerly substantial but sometimes forgotten regional grain economy.
