<h2 class="ql-align-center">Seed Chat with Bill McDorman</h2>Greg Peterson and seed expert Bill McDorman dig into the urgent need for climate-resilient seeds as global conditions shift. They explore how traditional varieties falter under heat, drought, flooding, and unpredictable weather—and why locally adapted, open-pollinated seeds are becoming essential tools for regional food security. Bill outlines practical pathways for gardeners and growers to build resilience through diversity, landrace gardening, and modern microbiome research. Together they offer a grounded, hopeful roadmap for anyone looking to future-proof their garden or local food system.Key Topics<ul><li>Climate-resilient seeds</li><li>Open-pollinated varieties</li><li>Local adaptation</li><li>Landrace gardening</li><li>Soil microbiome & mycorrhizae</li><li>Rizophagy (Dr. James White, Rutgers)</li><li>Elliot Coleman</li><li>John Jeavons</li><li>Al Gore COP30 climate update</li><li>Heritage grains & wheat diversity</li><li>Seed libraries & seed exchanges</li><li>National seed infrastructure concerns</li><li>Joseph Lofthouse & Going to Seed</li><li>Genetic diversity & heterosis</li><li>Key Questions Answered</li></ul> Why do traditional seed varieties fail under climate chaos?Because they were bred for stable, narrow climate ranges with controlled inputs—conditions that no longer exist. Locally adapted seeds handle stress better and evolve alongside changing weather patterns.How can home gardeners contribute to climate adaptation?By introducing maximum genetic diversity into their gardens—mixing varieties, saving seeds, and participating in regional seed exchanges. This creates plant populations that actively adapt to local conditions.What is landrace gardening and why does it matter now?Landrace gardening mixes many varieties of the same crop and lets natural selection reveal the most resilient performers. It dramatically increases adaptability and requires less space and time than traditional trialing.How do soil organisms like mycorrhizae and bacteria affect climate resilience?They increase nutrient uptake, boost disease resistance, and help plants tolerate extreme conditions. Emerging rizophagy research shows plants actively cultivate microbes to meet stress.What resources should new growers explore to build resilience?Classics like&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/48PMyqO" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The New Organic Grower</a>&nbsp;(Elliot Coleman),&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/4rTkFa0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How to Grow More Vegetables&nbsp;</a>(John Jeavons), Joseph Lofthouse’s&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/4rQAMFx" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Landrace Gardening</a>, and foundational seed-saving guides.Episode Highlights<ul><li>Climate resilience requires local action, not waiting for national agricultural reform.</li><li>Al Gore’s COP30 update emphasizes the urgency of transitioning agriculture.</li><li>Soil microbiology breakthroughs (rizophagy) are reshaping how we understand plant roots.</li><li>Most commercial varieties were never tested across wide climates—huge opportunity remains.</li><li>Wheat alone has 400,000 documented varieties, yet only a handful dominate U.S. production.</li><li>Diversity—not uniformity—is the foundation of resilience.</li><li>Landrace gardening allows growers to trial hundreds of varieties in small spaces.</li><li>Seed sharing and regional networks may become essential if national systems weaken.</li></ul> Calls to Action & Resources<ul><li>Seed Chat Live —&nbsp;<a href="https://seedchat.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SeedChat.org</a></li><li>Going to Seed Project —&nbsp;<a href="https://goingtoseed.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://goingtoseed.org</a></li><li>Urban Farm Podcast —&nbsp;<a href="https://urbanfarm.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://urbanfarm.org</a></li><li>Landrace Gardening (Joseph Lofthouse) —&nbsp;<a href="https://goingtoseed.org/landrace-gardening" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://goingtoseed.org/landrace-gardening</a></li><li>Basic Seed Saving (Bill McDorman) — <a href="https://GreatAmericanSeedUp.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GreatAmericanSeedUp.org</a></li><li>Soil Microbiome Research (Dr. James White/Rutgers) — Search “rizophagy James White Rutgers” on YouTube</li></ul> Visit <a href="https://urbanfarm.org/887" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">UrbanFarm.org/922</a> for the show notes and links on this episode! <blockquote class="ql-align-center">Need a little bit of advice or just a feedback on your design for your yard or garden?</blockquote><blockquote class="ql-align-center">The Urban Farm Team is offering consults over the phone or zoom. Get the benefits of a personalized garden and yard space analysis without the cost of trip charges.&nbsp;</blockquote><blockquote class="ql-align-center">You can chat with Greg, Janis or Ray to get permaculture based feedback.</blockquote><blockquote class="ql-align-center">Click&nbsp;<a href="https://theurbanfarm.as.me/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a>&nbsp;to learn more!</blockquote>Become an Urban Farm Patron and listen to more than 900 episodes of the Urban Farm Podcast without ads. Click <a href="https://www.urbanfarm.org/patron" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HERE</a> to learn more.*Disclosure: Some of the links in our podcast show notes and blog posts are affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase, we will earn a nominal commission at&nbsp;no cost to you. We offer links to items recommended by our podcast guests and guest writers as a service to our audience and these items are not selected because of the commission we receive from your purchases. We know the decision is yours, and whether you decide to buy something is completely up to you.

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922: Climate-Resilient Seeds for an Uncertain Future

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