Nash Huber of Nash’s Organic Produce gave two presentations at the Organic Seed Growers Conference, “Strengthening Community Seed Systems,” held by the Organic Seed Alliance Jan. 19-21 at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend.

The first presentation, “Integrating Organic Seed Production into a Diversified Farming Operation,” gave participants an overview on how seed production is handled on Nash’s 400-acre farm and why Huber feels that growing the farm’s own seed is vital to the sustainability of the operation.

The second presentation, “Hybrids vs. Open-Pollinated Varieties: How Do They Fit into an Evolutionary Seed System?,” examined the differences between hybrid seed and seed derived from open-pollinated plants, and the pros and cons of each.

Huber also participated in a panel about equipment used in seed production on his farm. Nash’s Organic Produce grows many varieties of organic seed for its own use and on contract, including seed for carrots, beets, cabbages, kales, spinach and grains.

The conference was attended by over 300 people from all over the United States.