Many gardening enthusiasts have heard of the ARCHE NOAH association. Our interview includes tips for hobby gardeners, among other things.
The ARCHE NOAH association was founded in 1989 on the initiative of gardeners, farmers and Journalists who literally put the seeds back into their own as the basis of nutrition Wanted to take hands. Because: Since 1900, the industrialization of agriculture has dramatically reduced the diversity of our cultivated plants worldwide - by 75%. Today genetic engineering, seed monopolies, climate change and wars endanger this precious legacy.
ARCHE NOAH in an interview
ARCHE NOAH opposes the decline in diversity with a positive vision and various activities. In the interview, the association tells us more about its work and its vision.
What is the motivation and aim of NOAH'S ARCH?
The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) estimates that 75% of the total diversity of cultivated plants has been irretrievably lost since 1900. In industrialized countries of the western world up to 90%. Rationalization and industrialization of agriculture, profound social changes, the convergence of seed breeding, Plant production and the chemical industry as well as legal framework conditions lead to massive losses of local and rural varieties worldwide Seed knowledge. This is where we, as a non-profit organization ARCHE NOAH, come in. For almost 30 years, our association has been committed to the preservation and development of the diversity of cultivated plants in gardens, fields and markets, and to responsible handling in Politics and economy with the resources entrusted to us as well as for the mediation of diversity as part of our quality of life: ecological, culinary, aesthetic, ethical, pleasurable and joyful! We believe that we humans have the ability to act creatively and responsibly. Today everyone can take action to maintain and develop this wealth. Because only together can we preserve our diverse cultural heritage!
What exactly does your daily work consist of? How would you describe that?
Our fields of work are very broad. On the one hand, we have a message that needs to be passed on and spread to the public. However, one of our main tasks is also to collect, store and preserve seeds. All of this happens in our ARCHE NOAH semen archive.
The political work of the association is also essential for maintaining the colorful diversity. Because at negotiating tables and in parliaments it is decided what can happen in fields, beds and markets. That is why NOAH'S ARK is actively committed to better laws. Many different campaigns are organized on various topics and we also have club employees in Brussels who are committed to these topics. The campaign “No patent on seeds” or the campaign for a new one is currently very current Organic regulation, because EU seed law has limited the variety of vegetables, grains and fruit for decades in Europe.
How do you bring your message closer to people?
Of course we do a lot of educational work, be it in public at events, information stands or on the Internet. But also through education directly in the garden. In the ARCHE NOAH show garden in Schiltern you can wonderfully discover and learn about a wide variety of rarities in many different beds and thus get inspiration for your own garden. But ARCHE NOAH also offers different courses and workshops throughout the year. Here you learn how to obtain seeds yourself, how to work organically in the garden, how to easily prune fruit trees yourself and a lot more.
What exactly is the semen archive all about?
The ARCHE NOAH seed archive in Schiltern is of course our heart. This stores seeds from around 5,500 different cultivated plants. There is of course a lot to do here, because once archived, seeds do not immediately mean that they will last forever. This is where our seed archive team comes in. The challenge here is to bring the thousands of varieties into cultivation on a regular basis and thus their ability to germinate again and again to renew, because securing a certain germination capacity through regular cultivation is at the same time the Quality control. A backup of the collection is also stored in freezers. This has the advantage that they do not lose their ability to germinate, but then these seeds do not notice any environmental influences and therefore cannot adapt to them. Therefore, these have to be taken from the archive again and again, grown again and the seeds harvested from them again. Of course, the further development of new, non-seed varieties also plays a role here. In various field trials, new varieties are developed through crossing and selection, but old rarities are also tested.
Why is it important to care about variety conservation?
It was only a few thousand years ago that we humans came up with the idea not to rely on gathering and hunting alone. Through use and selection, the farmers developed the VARIETY of cultivated plants and livestock. They discovered drought-resistant millets, cultivated potatoes that germinate quickly and slowly, thick-rooted parsnips, bakable, tasty grains, fine vegetables, hot spices, sweet fruit. These cultivated plants, developed by human hands, were the result of a creative approach to the Nature, not only to ensure survival, but also as an expression of enjoyment, joie de vivre and Food culture. The variety of crops is a foundation of our life and a treasure trove. It ensures that our agriculture can adapt to changing environmental conditions and that suitable crops are available even for areas with extreme conditions. Together we must preserve this treasure trove of diversity in order to secure the future.
What would happen if that wasn't done?
What worries us is that the genetic pool is getting tighter. If we do not maintain the variety of varieties, at some point this colorful treasure will no longer be available to us and will only be a uniform mixture. Awareness of diversity and knowledge about cultivation and conservation can be lost and organic and sustainable agriculture can lose a valuable partner. Diversity is an important resource in the maintenance and development of solid-seeded varieties. Even if you have heard it many times, climate change is simply noticeable these days. As a result of these changes, fewer and fewer varieties are available to us that have the potential to adapt and also feed us in the future. However, a large variety of varieties guarantees that we can choose the best variety for the respective requirements. These plants are also much more resistant and require significantly less spraying. But more importantly, unit vegetables are simply bland. Who always wants to eat the same thing? Diversity in color, taste and shape brings joy in the kitchen and on the plate.
What are the successes that you can record when you look back on your work over the past few years?
A success for us is certainly that 5,500 seeds from various cultivated plants are already in good care and we are supported by a network of private and decentralized maintainers. Here, the decentralization and "on-farm" maintenance is an advantage over purely conservational, central storage. The varieties are of course also further developed in joint breeding projects with small farmers, organic gardeners through to retail and gastronomy. We are particularly proud of our 16,000 members and supporters that we have gained actively helping, for example with campaigns and projects, but also financially supporting the idea of ARCHE NOAH support. These people ensure our independence and give our political work strength. And while you are already doing political work, a lot has already been achieved in alliance with other environmental NGOs. For example, from 2021 there will be better legal framework conditions for the production and trade in organic seeds / non-heterogeneous material. We defend ourselves as David against Goliath against patents on plants / possession of genetic material by corporations. Our mass opposition to a tomato patent has just led to a withdrawal by the seed company concerned, Syngenta.
What are you particularly proud of?
In 2014 nine traditions were included in the Austrian Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage - including the element “Traditional seed cultivation and extraction” submitted by the ARCHE NOAH association. A great achievement for us! Furthermore, there are already numerous publications by ARCHE NOAH with other experts such as Cookbooks and specialist books on fruits, vegetables, seed propagation and much more that we are very proud of. Interested parties can also acquire knowledge on a wide variety of gardening topics during courses - this is very important to us, because knowledge, like diversity, must not be lost.
Are there any things that worry you about the future? If yes, which?
As already mentioned, we are of course also concerned about climate change, because varieties that have been tried and tested over many years are already failing. The death of insects can also be observed with great stomach ache. Insects have a direct influence on the pollination and reproduction of plants and are therefore very important to us. Another point is the monopoly of seeds - this is very difficult, if not impossible, to stop. Attempts are being made to get patents on conventional breeding of plants and animals. Ultimately, however, only the large corporations benefit from these patents and gain increasing control over our livelihoods. There are also new breeding techniques used, which are dismissed as harmless. It is not clear what risks these techniques entail and cannot be assessed.
What can the normal hobby gardener do to promote biodiversity in his garden? Do you have any tips ready?
If you are growing yourself in a garden or on a balcony, then the best step is to try out some of the diversity that is still available. With us and other seed initiatives or with professional organic breeders and in well-stocked stores you can get the right non-seeded seeds. Seed firmness is the result of natural breeding - and seeds from these plants can then be harvested as own seeds and used for the next season. Providing the necessary knowledge for this is a focus of our work. So get to the shovel!
Cultivated plants belong in the ground, whether in the garden, on the balcony or on the terrace. Anyone who gets to know the fantastic diversity of plants is sure to be thirsty for action. In our show garden, with our gardening and cookbooks, at lectures or in our online shop, you can be inspired. Our member network is also a great treasure trove, where private gardeners offer their treasures for exchange or for a fee. The desire to try will certainly grow. Acquiring the right seeds or already grown young plants is a big step into that Adventure variety - then comes: cultivate, care for, observe, harvest, think about what you can cook with it, Etc. It may sound absurd, but saving it through food helps. Only what we like has a long-term chance of surviving in the field.
Do you think it's important to bring gardening closer to children?
Involving children is just as valuable. If you can watch and help how something grows and what it takes, you are certainly curious to see how it will taste later. When children come into contact with the most varied of varieties, their variety of shapes and colors, they can taste the difference then one lays an essential cornerstone here, whether or not humans are interested in diversity in adult life not. Just try it out and have the courage to try new old varieties. If something doesn't work out that way, the treasure chest is big enough to try something else. But you can also make a contribution to the preservation of diversity without greenery of your own.
Here are a few tips from ARCHE NOAH at a glance:
- When cooking, be mindful of the varieties you use. Train your senses. Invite family and friends to dinner and inspire them to try rare varieties - love goes through the stomach!
- Buy as often as possible directly from the farmers or at the farmers' market. Choose preferably organically produced, seasonal products from the region.
- Ask about foods made from rare cultivated plants and from artisanal, non-industrial processing.
- Ask about it in the restaurant too!
- Vote for politicians who advocate rural and sustainable agriculture - without genetic engineering.
How can you be supported?
The variety of cultivated plants is huge. There must also be enough space on ARCHE NOAH in the future for this. But that can only happen if as many people as possible join our mission and support us. For example, you can become a member of ARCHE NOAH or, with a permanent donation, support diversity! Our members and sponsors help us to continue this work.
We look forward to visiting the ARCHE NOAH show garden in Schiltern! Come with family and friends and have a nice day surrounded by rarities and tell everyone about them. Any support really bears fruit.
Info:
More about NOAH'S ARCH and membership at www.arche-noah.at, or by mail to [email protected]
Event tips:
Plant the diversity days from 27. until 28. April 2019
ARCHE NOAH organic plant market on 1. May 2019 in the show garden in Schiltern
Austria-wide organic young plant markets in spring: All information at shop.arche-noah.at
Many other events in the ARCHE NOAH show garden as well as the educational program at www.arche-noah.at/kalender
