The Association Kokopelli has been producing organic seeds in Europe for more than two decades. The non-profit’s collection of organic heirloom seeds is the largest in the world, with more than 2200 varieties. In 2003 the Kokopelli Seed Foundation was created to spread the mission of Association Kokopelli in North America. The seed foundation works to fight hunger in developing nations through education about organic seed production as well as through seed donation programs. One way they provide education is through seed workshops in Costa Rica, Mexico, and Guatemala. In 2004 they started a seed donation programs in Guatemala, various regions throughout Mexico, and several South American countries. They typically partner with a regional organization to distribute their organic heirloom seeds. The Kokopelli Seed Foundation is currently running the Seeds for Life campaign in the United States, which was first initiated by Association Kokopelli in Europe. This allows Kokopelli members to grow organic heirloom seeds in their own gardens and donate them to developing countries. Kokopelli found that this actually promoted organic seed production because many members started growing and harvesting seeds with the sole aim of donating them.
The Kokopelli Seed Foundation hopes that their work will not only promote biodiversity and fight hunger in developing countries, but also cultivate what they describe as “seed consciousness” or the “sharing of seeds and of seed saving traditions.”
