This event is offered by the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security along with partners across the country, including EFAO.

At the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security, we work toward a future where farmers have the power to save, improve, and share the seeds they rely on. That means building a seed system rooted in genetic diversity, regional adaptation, and collective care.

Seed systems are complex—shaped by geography, labour, economics, policy, and culture. They involve trade-offs. No single model is perfect. This series is about holding space for nuance, highlighting under-recognized work, and building shared understanding of the systems that feed us.

We invite you to join us—with curiosity and care—as we shine a light behind the packet.

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Behind the Packet: The Hidden Worlds of Hybrid Seeds

It may be that many growers don’t think deeply about the seeds we plant—but behind each packet lies a complex web of decisions, relationships, and global infrastructure.

This conversation dives into the world of hybrid seed production, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how hybrid seeds are grown, who produces them, and what that means for farmers, biodiversity, and seed sovereignty.

Hybrid seeds can offer significant benefits, especially in certain farming contexts. But they’re also part of a broader system that relies on intensive labour, specialized technologies, and globalized supply chains. We’ll explore how these seeds are produced—from hand pollination in crops like squash, peppers, and tomatoes, to the increasing use of genetic tools—and why much of this work is concentrated in specific regions of the world.

This webinar is an invitation to think more critically and curiously about the origins of our hybrid seed and what a more transparent, just, and regionally resilient seed system could look like.

This webinar features Adrienne Shelton of Enza Zaden, who brings expertise from her work with one of the world’s leading vegetable seed companies, and Jason Cavatorta, Plant Breeder and Research Director at EarthWork Seeds, LLC, where he develops high-yielding, flavourful varieties with strong disease resistance and adaptability, with a focus on solanaceous and cucurbit crops. Together, they’ll share insights from their experiences in hybrid seed breeding and production, offering participants a rare look into the decisions, practices, and global networks that shape the seeds we grow.

Presentations will be in English with translated slides in French.