USE THE CHECKLIST ON THE RIGHT TO HELP EVALUATE YOUR PRACTICES​

RESPECTFUL SEED STEWARDSHIP

  • I avoid the use of pan-ethnic or incorrect labeling; seed catalog descriptions that have unconfirmed or misleading information regarding cultural significance or hearsay information or information that represents my imagination or translations to promote seeds as exotic or experimental; and/or marketing false seed stories to increase seed sales.
 
  • I acknowledge that seeds don’t have to have names, and in many seed traditions, they are known by/associated with their communities via specific geographic and/or cultural identifiers.
  • When needed for preservation purposes, I utilize culturally and community respectful seed names and practices, including not arbitrarily changing names or changing names in such a way as to remove the ability to trace a seed’s origins, or having the effect of erasing its connections to TEK growers or communities.
  • I can demonstrate ongoing implementation and alignment with the practices and statements contained in this pledge to avoid dilution or erasure of culturally meaningful traits, significance, or connection to communities of origin.
  • I evaluate my participation in other pledges and/or agreements that may conflict with the change areas contained in the CICS Pledge and do not support contradictory practices.
  • I am committed to ongoing evaluation and evolution in my practices to prioritize equity and justice in commercial seed production and community-centered seed work.