Heirloom Seeds
Heirloom seeds are proven to be of great value in modern farming; they are open pollinated, resistant to diseases and pests, and can even survive in extreme weather (Coutler 2006). The Hopi created different varieties of corn through selective breeding* (Onorati 2012). These plants produced seeds which, unlike GM corn, are open pollinated (Onorati 2012). Open pollination means the seeds produced are able to be harvested, saved, and replanted (Scott 2011). The same plant will grow year after year, and after several generations it is then defined as an heirloom seed (Scott 2011).
Reliance on farming, specifically corn, on top of a challenging environment has led to the Hopi’s strong connection to their land and agricultural methods (Onorati 2012). Not only are the Hopi heirloom seeds resistant to pests and disease, they also promote biodiversity by planting at least twenty-four varieties of maize per season (Onorati 2012). One researcher from Northern Arizona University states “by planting many varieties of corn in a land characterized by erratic, unpredictable rainfall and by spatially dispersing crop fields, food production increases dramatically” (Kelly 2013).
Reliance on farming, specifically corn, on top of a challenging environment has led to the Hopi’s strong connection to their land and agricultural methods (Onorati 2012). Not only are the Hopi heirloom seeds resistant to pests and disease, they also promote biodiversity by planting at least twenty-four varieties of maize per season (Onorati 2012). One researcher from Northern Arizona University states “by planting many varieties of corn in a land characterized by erratic, unpredictable rainfall and by spatially dispersing crop fields, food production increases dramatically” (Kelly 2013).
* Selective breeding is the process of choosing to plant seeds which came from plants with certain valuable qualities, such as taste, size, or color.