Teacher Training – Los Angeles
Learn skills and strategies to become a seed educator in your community!
March 14–18, 2016
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church and the Learning Garden, Los Angeles, California
Presented by Seedsave.org, Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance and the Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLoLA)
With more than 650 graduates around the world, Seed School is a pioneering course that is helping shape the local seed and food movements far and wide. Seed School Teacher Training builds on the foundations of Seed School and will empower students to take the next steps in transferring seed knowledge to communities via educational models to exponentially increase bio-regional seed literacy.
Angeles (SLoLA)
With more than 650 graduates around the world, Seed School is a pioneering course that is helping shape the local seed and food movements far and wide. Seed School Teacher Training builds on the foundations of Seed School and will empower students to take the next steps in transferring seed knowledge to communities via educational models to exponentially increase bio-regional seed literacy.
During this six-day course, participants will gain a deep understanding of ancient seed saving practices alongside leadership development training to empower them as community seed leaders. This unique opportunity is limited to 25 students and available by application only. If you are passionate about seeds and wish to play an active role in this powerful grassroots movement, we encourage you to apply!
Click here to download an application.
Course Details
Seed School Teacher Training is based on Seedsave.org’s standard Seed School curriculum and will offer its customary seed saving program as a foundation. In addition, participants will be trained in leadership skills and strategies specially tailored for community seed education. Students will learn from our experienced instructors how to deliver a powerful seed saving lecture or multi-hour workshop rooted in ancient seed traditions and modern science. As local seed leaders, graduates from this program will be able to confidently and effectively impart this powerful knowledge using all the best techniques we have developed through teaching more than 20 Seed Schools nationwide.
The training incorporates permaculture principles, infusing learning strategies with holistic perspectives to support participants’ development in their areas of focus. These areas include: farming, backyard gardening, facilitating seed libraries or exchanges, education, and advocacy for food or seed issues.
Facilitated by Don Tipping (Siskiyou Seeds), Vanessa Carter (Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, Resilient Schools Program Director), David King (Seed Library of Los Angeles), Bill McDorman (Seedsave.org & Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance) and special guest instructors.
Topics include: genetics, botany, breeding, harvesting, and more.
Location
This course will be held at the Learning Garden at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, a beautiful green space and community hub in the city. The Learning Garden is home to the Seed Library of Los Angeles. This will be our second Seed School course here, offered in collaboration with SLoLA and Environmental Changemakers.
Holy Nativity Episcopal Church and the Learning Garden
6700 W 83rd St
Westchester (Los Angeles), California 90045
Price
Early Bird Tuition (by February 12th): $600
Full Tuition (after February 12th): $700
Sees School FAQ
What can I expect at Seed School and what will I be able to do after the training?
Seed School will prepare you for any track you choose having to do with seed saving. You will come away from the course with knowledge on the basics of seed saving, genetics, processing, harvesting, and growing. You will also learn about the global seed situation and the growing movement to take back control of our seeds bio regionally.
You will become a competent and confident teacher on seeds and will be empowered to create community seed solutions in whatever way you like—such as starting or enhancing a seed-growing operation, organizing a seed library or exchange, launching a seed business, educating others, or furthering your own backyard seed saving efforts.
You can expect to be inspired, empowered and greatly informed by Seed School. There is an ongoing mix of hands on, experiential, and integrative activities. PowerPoint is used sparingly to anchor in key elements of the course. Students have access to all teaching materials to help them take their next steps after they leave the course. One other important aspect of the week-long program is the camaraderie and deep connections made with other seed lovers. Often students describe feeling a sense of “coming home” at Seed School or feeling relieved to find others as concerned and moved by the magic of seeds as they are.
What do I need to bring to Seed School?
Bring an array of clothing for indoor and outdoor activities. Average daytime temps could be between 50 and 80 degrees. You’ll want to have comfortable shoes for walking and our field outings, as well as a pair of gardening gloves. Having a water bottle with you would be handy. For note-taking, bring the items of your preference: pen, paper, laptop, and any other items to assist your learning (camera or iPhone).
Where will I stay and how much will it cost?
There are a number of hotels, Airbnb rentals, and even hostels nearby. Standard hotel chains can be found within 10 miles. Costs vary widely, so shop around. It may be possible to find host homes for those on a tight budget—send us an email if you are in need of assistance.
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What about breakfast and lunch?
Seed School covers lunches and snacks. Delicious, locally-sourced food will be available (vegan and non-gluten diets can be accommodated). You will be on your own for breakfast and dinner.
There a number of dine-in and take-out restaurants available in the area with a variety of price ranges. We will find organic, locally-sourced restaurants and will link those options here soon.
Where is the classroom and what is it like?
The class will be held in the community room at Holy Nativity Episcopal Church and in the field. The space is very hospitable with plenty of room and table space for activities and to spread out.
What are the hours of Seed School and when should I plan to arrive and leave?
The class starts Monday, March 14th at 9:30 am and the first day will probably run until evening around 8 pm. Please plan on arriving Sunday, March 13th to be ready to begin on Monday. The class will go until 5:30 everyday.
The course wraps on Friday, which sometimes runs a little late due to graduation. You may want to consider staying until Saturday morning as students typically like to celebrate in the evening of graduation with a shared meal or at a restaurant. If you need to leave before 5:30 p.m. on Friday, please make sure you have made transportation arrangements and let us know so we may have a proper send-off before you leave.
I will be flying in. What are the best airports to arrive at?
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport, about a half-hour away. Burbank is 1 hour away and John Wayne Airport in Orange County is 1.5 hours away. We will do what we can to help with shuttles.
What kind of financial arrangements do I need to make?
A one-time payment of $600 (Early Bird discount) will secure your spot at Seed School, due by February 12th. After this date, tuition is $700. If you need to cancel for any reason, a $50 fee will be deducted from your deposit, with your remaining tuition fully refunded within 30 days. After February 12th, a refund will be at our discretion based on our ability to fill your spot
Partial scholarships are available on a limited basis. Please request a scholarship application. Students are encouraged to contribute some tuition to their experience, which we find makes for a more meaningful training all around. We love to support those who are working in the trenches, with limited resources who are passionate and committed to seed work!