Seed Group Specializes In Open-Pollinated Vegetables
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Zachary Paige started North Circle Seeds to promote open-pollinated vegetables and grains adapted to northern climates. Located in northern Minnesota, the fledgling seed company features beets, beans, and squash as well as a blue flour corn blend that includes genetics from Mexico. Eggplants and okra from the African Congo were all selected and adapted to the region by a Fargo, N. Dak. grower.
“I wanted to showcase farmers who were saving seed and adapting it to their region,” says Paige. “Most of the organic and sustainable seed companies are on the East or West Coast.”
Paige describes North Circle Seeds as a collaboration with seed saver growers in the region. Currently, he has nine contract growers on his website, all with their own videos about their farms. His own North Circle Farm is a combination market garden operation and seed production and research center.
North Circle started in 2020 with 24 varieties. This year he offered 72 and expects to add another 10 for the 2023 season. In addition, he has another 20 to 30 breeding projects. Some involve crossing select varieties; others involve dehybridizing a conventional hybrid.
Most of the seeds North Circle offers are older, open-pollinated seeds and all are non-GMO. However, Paige is open to hybrids if superior to heirloom varieties.
“I have a commercial-grade hybrid popcorn that I’m excited about,” he says. “It pops out in a ball shape like a puffball mushroom. Heirloom popcorns look pretty, but often don’t pop that well. This variety is colorful and makes giant popcorn.”
Paige continues to look for new growers, particularly if they represent diverse communities. “I want to fill out the catalog with more basics, but also seeds that are culturally important, but not currently available,” he says. “We’re working with a Latino farmers group in Long Prairie, Minn. They’re trialing a lot of peppers.”
In addition to seed, Paige also offers workshops on seed saving, plant breeding and selection, hand pollination, and seed storage and seed banking. He posts podcasts about unique garden seed varieties, complete with interviews, history and seed saving techniques. He also hosts seed processing and harvest parties on his farm, as well as an annual music festival that includes farm tours.
North Circle Seeds are available online, as well as at several co-ops and hardware stores in the region.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, North Circle Seeds, 26253 485th St., Vergas, Minn. 56587 (zachary@northcircleseeds.com; www.northcircleseeds.com; www.facebook.com/northcircleseeds).
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Seed Group Specializes In Open-Pollinated Vegetables Zachary Paige started North Circle Seeds to promote open-pollinated vegetables and grains adapted to northern climates Located in northern Minnesota the fledgling seed company features beets beans and squash as well as a blue flour corn blend that includes genetics from Mexico Eggplants and okra from the African Congo were all selected and adapted to the region by a Fargo N Dak grower “I wanted to showcase farmers who were saving seed and adapting it to their region ” says Paige “Most of the organic and sustainable seed companies are on the East or West Coast ” Paige describes North Circle Seeds as a collaboration with seed saver growers in the region Currently he has nine contract growers on his website all with their own videos about their farms His own North Circle Farm is a combination market garden operation and seed production and research center North Circle started in 2020 with 24 varieties This year he offered 72 and expects to add another 10 for the 2023 season In addition he has another 20 to 30 breeding projects Some involve crossing select varieties; others involve dehybridizing a conventional hybrid Most of the seeds North Circle offers are older open-pollinated seeds and all are non-GMO However Paige is open to hybrids if superior to heirloom varieties “I have a commercial-grade hybrid popcorn that I’m excited about ” he says “It pops out in a ball shape like a puffball mushroom Heirloom popcorns look pretty but often don’t pop that well This variety is colorful and makes giant popcorn ” Paige continues to look for new growers particularly if they represent diverse communities “I want to fill out the catalog with more basics but also seeds that are culturally important but not currently available ” he says “We’re working with a Latino farmers group in Long Prairie Minn They’re trialing a lot of peppers ” In addition to seed Paige also offers workshops on seed saving plant breeding and selection hand pollination and seed storage and seed banking He posts podcasts about unique garden seed varieties complete with interviews history and seed saving techniques He also hosts seed processing and harvest parties on his farm as well as an annual music festival that includes farm tours North Circle Seeds are available online as well as at several co-ops and hardware stores in the region Contact: FARM SHOW Followup North Circle Seeds 26253 485th St Vergas Minn 56587 zachary@northcircleseeds com; www northcircleseeds com; www facebook com/northcircleseeds
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