Association for the conservation of crop diversity
The Association for the Preservation of Crop Diversity e. V. ( VEN ) is a German non-profit association for the conservation of crops and the knowledge about their cultivation and propagation. The registered association has an office in Witzenhausen, Hesse .
history
The association was founded in 1986 against the background of the worldwide loss of cultivated plant varieties in order to preserve non-seed varieties of useful plants , especially vegetables. In contrast to the F1 hybrids that are widespread today , the properties of non-seed varieties are retained in future generations. This means that they can be cultivated and propagated permanently by everyone. The association is of the opinion that seeds are a cultural asset. He is thus countering the increasing monopoly of seeds in the hands of a few corporations.
activities
- Declaration of the Vegetable of the Year
- Creation of a seed list with currently around 2000 varieties as a printed catalog and since 2014 as an online query
- Organization of seed exchanges, seed seminars and other educational events
- Formation of conservation rings to preserve endangered varieties
- Formation of regional groups
- Creation of publicly available educational material