Summer Short Course: Saving Seeds
Join Phipps, Penn State Extension and local experts for a full day about the essential skills and rationale for saving seeds.
Presented in Partnership with
Course Schedule
8:30 – 9 a.m.
Registration
9 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Growing Resilient Forests: Why Local Genetics Matter | Megan Higgins-Palomo
Healthy forests start with the right trees. Native seed-grown trees are uniquely suited to our region's climate, better for our local wildlife, and are more likely to thrive for generations. This talk dives into why genetic diversity and local provenance matter, especially in the face of climate change. Plus, learn how you can make a big impact by collecting seeds and growing natives in your own backyard. It’s easier than you may think!
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.
Break
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Wild Seeds....Great Plants! | John Totten and Linda Kramer
The challenge of collecting, starting, and saving native plant seeds is a fascinating gateway into the natural histories of these wild plants. Working with native plant seeds isn’t difficult once you learn some of the basic requirements of dealing with wild collected seed. With these skills, you’ll be able to produce a wide variety of natives including some not often available commercially.
11:30 – 11:45 a.m.
Phipps Plant Propagation Spotlight
11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Lunch | Book Sale | Native Seed Cleaning Demo with Ernst Conservation Seeds
12:45 – 1:15 p.m.
Small Scale Seed Keeping | Madison McLean
Madison McLean is a seed keeper, farmer and educator, her micro farm Library Seed Farm grows and distributes free seeds to the people of the Pittsburgh region. She is a firm believer that everyone can grow seeds. She will share with you how she grows seed on her farm, and how you can grow seeds in your own yard with scaled down seed keeping practices, like isolation to prevent cross pollination, and small scale seed keeping equipment.
1:15 – 1:30 p.m.
Break
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Saving Vegetable Crops | Amirah Mitchell
Whether you are looking to save money, build independence, or preserve a garden tradition, learning to save seeds from vegetable crops can be a rewarding and valuable skill to build. Amirah will share best practices for saving seed from common vegetable crops and answer your burning seed saving questions.
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Attendees are welcome to explore Phipps Conservatory on their own until 5 p.m.
About the Speakers
As the Heritage Nursery Director, Megan Higgins-Palomo is responsible for developing and managing all aspects of Tree Pittsburgh’s Heritage Nursery, which works to address the issue of forest biodiversity by growing a diverse tree stock for local plantings and ecosystem restoration efforts. Megan oversees all propagation and sales efforts, and manages the nursery volunteer program. From seed collection to the continued production of nursery stock, she works to ensure the highest quality standards by using current best management practices.
Linda Kramer completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at The Pennsylvania State University. After 20 years as an estate gardener, she now works as a landscape gardener. She has taught many workshops and classes for the Master Gardener program at Phipps Conservatory.
Madison McLean is a seed keeper, farmer and educator, her micro farm Library Seed Farm grows and distributes free seeds to the people of the Pittsburgh region. Through a deep relationship with the land and observation she maximizes her front and back yard to grow food, medicine, and ornamental plants. In addition to seed keeping, Madison specializes in small space growing, hydrology, and micro-climates.
Amirah Mitchell is a farmer, seedkeeper and community educator who has worked in agriculture and food justice since 2007. She holds a B.S. in Horticulture from Temple University, studied agriculture in Brazil and Panama, and has farmed in Massachusetts, Georgia and Pennsylvania. In 2021, Amirah founded Sistah Seeds to connect black and brown growers to our culturally-important seeds.
John Totten is co-owner of the landscape gardening firm Garden! LLC and a woodland plant nursery called Locust Spring Nursery. He and business partner, Linda Kramer, have consulted on native plant projects for Chatham University, The Pittsburgh Zoo and Fallingwater. John and Linda founded the Audubon Society’s native plant nursery and have taught classes on native plants and their uses in the designed landscape for The Pennsylvania State University, Chatham University and Phipps Conservatory.
This Summer Short Course is presented to you by Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and Penn State Extension. Reservations are required in advance, so sign up today online or by phone at 412/441-4442, ext. 3925.
Fee:
$95 member | $110 non-member before Wed., July 1
$105 member | $120 non-member after Wed., July 1
Short Course registration includes morning coffee, as well as a lunch buffet with vegetarian and gluten free options. If you have additional dietary requests, please contact us to ensure we can meet your needs.
Location: The Short Course will take place at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The Conservatory address is: One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Continuing Education Credits: This conference counts for Master Gardener Continuing Education credit, and elective hours for Phipps certificate programs: Sustainable Horticulture and Landscape and Garden Design.
Cancellation Policy: In order to receive a full refund, less a $10 administrative fee, you must cancel by Tues, July 15. After this date, there will be no refunds.
Questions? Email edu@phipps.conservatory.org.
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