Hands-On Seed Processing with Farmer Sama

​Reyhan Herb Farm is a small-scale farm in the SF Bay Area that focuses on growing and sharing seed for heritage crops from the SWANA region. For Farmer Sama, farming these seeds is a healing experience that fosters connection to their ancestral foodways and the stories of their homeland.

​At the end of the growing season, it’s time to harvest the seed crops and clean them for storage and for sharing. Seed cleaning is the beautiful process of taking a seed harvest from the field (borne within the plant) to a dry, shelf-stable seed lot that is free from non-seed plant material (aka, chaff). We will be using assorting techniques of threshing and winnowing to hand-clean the seeds, which have been practiced by humans since the advent of agriculture. These techniques of threshing and winnowing are, as Sama says, “the closest thing I get to magic on a regular basis.”

​In addition to being a wondrous activity, processing seeds also creates the perfect conditions for relaxation and connection between humans. Once you get into it, you might find yourself in a flow state, or you might find that working with your hands is deeply relaxing.

​This event will take place in the backyard of Local Economy's generous neighbor, Layla, who lives on Armanino Court. Location details will be provided to attendees.