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The Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute recently hosted a transformative two-day workshop in partnership with Native Seeds SEARCH, based in Tucson, Arizona, with funding support from Alaska Village Initiatives. The event, held in Kodiak, Alaska on October 29^th & 30^th, 2024 brought together Alaska Native and other participants from across the state to engage in the vital practice of seed saving, a key component of strengthening local food security.

Facilitated by Dr. Andrea Carter, Director of Agriculture and Education at Native Seeds SEARCH, the workshop was part of a broader 18-month project supported by Alaska Village Initiatives. This initiative aims to establish a regional seed bank in the Kodiak Archipelago with grow-out plots located at the Alutiiq Grown farms. Longer term goals include enhancing local access to culturally relevant seeds and promoting self-sufficiency in food systems. Seed saving offers a powerful tool for preserving local plant varieties, regenerating lost crops, and adapting new agricultural varieties to the unique climate of Alaska.

Throughout the workshop, participants learned essential seed-saving techniques, including the methods for collecting, cleaning, and germinating seeds. In addition to the hands-on instruction, the workshop emphasized the broader significance of seed saving—not only as a means of conserving plant biodiversity but also as a way to adapt food crops to Alaska’s challenging climate. One of the key themes explored was the journey “From Seed to Stomach,” which illustrated how seed saving is directly connected to food sovereignty and the creation of resilient, self-sustaining food systems.

For many attendees, the loss of local plant varieties was a deep concern. Participants expressed a shared desire to regenerate and revitalize these disappearing species, with the hope of restoring once-thriving populations and renewing cultural harvesting practices. This aspect of the workshop underscored the critical intersection of food security and cultural heritage, as communities work to safeguard both their food sources and traditions.

The Kodiak Archipelago Leadership Institute and Alaska Village Initiatives are committed to advancing food sovereignty across Alaska. By fostering collaboration and empowering communities to take control of their food futures, they are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and adaptive food culture. This workshop was an important milestone in uniting communities throughout Alaska to protect, grow, and preserve their local food systems. Through initiatives like these, we are not only ensuring the future of local food sources but also preserving the cultural food practices that have sustained Alaska Native communities for generations.