Summary
Organization name
Masa Seed Foundation
2018
Tax id (EIN)
83-2720985
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1367 N. 75th StreetBoulder, CO 80303
Boulder County, CO, US
MASA Seed Foundation believes food sovereignty is one of the most important issues facing our state, country and world today. We are a small, highly productive farm on seventeen acres in Boulder County. We use regenerative agricultural techniques and organic seeds to grow open-pollinated plants that produce vibrant vegetables, flowers, herbs and grains for our community. The proceeds from our seed, plant and produce sales support the ongoing development of our bio-regional seed bank, our growing educational programs, community farm events, and research to explore ways farming must adapt as we face inevitable climate change.
With our locally-grown seeds and plants we seek to support farmers and gardeners of the Front Range with a wide variety of organic, GMO-free alternatives to products offered by agricultural conglomerates that own and control 60% of the world's seed stock and threaten our planet’s biodiversity. We are at the forefront of the food and seed sovereignty movement and want to continue our mission to promote viable agricultural options for the health of our planet and the future of our children.
With your support, we will be able to:
Sustain and strengthen our seed stock of 300 varieties of vegetables, heritage grains, flowers, and herbs
Continue research and development to create seed crops more finely adapted for Colorado’s climate
Complete renovations on our new Seed House and greenhouses
Expand our educational farm tour program for school children, culinary workers, garden clubs and other lifelong learners
Upgrade and better use technology to streamline the sales experience for online seed sales and farm stand customers
Assist our low-income customers with a fund to supplement their CSA costs
Mission
Enabling a vibrant, local food system through the active development of a bio-regional seed bank driven by strategic farm designs and the production of organic seeds, plants and produce.
Background Statement
In 1990 MASA Seed Foundation’s founder, Richard Pecoraro, helped facilitate the launching of the nation’s first 100% organic, non-hybrid seed company, Seeds of Change. He served as co-director of seed production, harvest and post-harvest handling, and as a co-author of detailed crop information until branching off in 1995 to develop a new regional seed and produce organization called Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce in Gila, New Mexico. Here he utilized his seed training to create an organic seed and vegetable system that became a vital resource for the rural area. The team at Abbondanza applied traditional seed breeding methods for crop improvement to create a community-supported agricultural model unknown to most at the time.
Richard then moved north to Boulder, Colorado to expand Abbondanza’s concepts and the bio-regional seed bank to include Colorado’s Front Range. They cultivated fifty acres, providing 400 CSA members and local restaurants with seasonal produce in addition to selling their regionally-adapted seeds and produce at the Boulder Farmers Market.
In 2018, MASA Seed Foundation, a non-profit organization, was formed to be the steward of this important seed bank and to continue the organic, regenerative agricultural practices started in 1990.
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Organization Data
Boulder, CO 80303