MINUTES OF THE 9th MEETING, 9/10/11

MINUTES OF THE 9th MEETING OF
SLOLA: SEED LIBRARY OF LOS ANGELES

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Executive committee members present: David King, Sarah Spitz, Linda Preuss, Albert Chang, Patty Kestin, Timothy Smith

David King called the meeting to order, and did a presentation on lettuce seed saving.

LETTUCE SEED SAVING

We care about cross pollination because if we are saving seed that is "true," we don't want contamination from other varieties. In the case of squash it's more critical: if a zucchini and butternut cross, the seed it produces will be neither one nor the other, nor potentially will it be edible once the offspring from that crossed seed grows out. We engage in certain practices to keep this from happening.

In the case of lettuce, this is not really a problem, even if you grow several varieties near one another. Just choose one of the varieties and let that one go to seed.

Typically, lettuce takes up to 60 days to produce leaves; in cool weather, leaves can last a long time before the plant bolts. Once lettuce bolts, it can take months to get to the point where you can harvest the seed. Helpful garden hint: in winter months, keep six packs of seedlings nearby to pop in the ground whenever you remove a lettuce plant.

Lettuce goes to seed when the central stalk shoots up (bolts) and creates flowers (goodfor attracting beneficial pests). A single hot day can cause the lettuce tobolt. It's a very long time between seed setting and seed saving.

Stop watering the plant after it bolts (the leaves will grow increasingly bitter as they grow up the stalk more sparsely) and after it has flowered, there'll be a lot of"fuzz" on top of each flower as they die back. The flowers don't die back all at once, and the order in which they do dry out seems somewhat random,it's not all “up the stalk” or “down the stalk.” This means making several visits to the plant to find the seeds that have matured – you can differentiate the really ripe ones from the immature ones after a few tries, the mature ones are darker and larger. Instead of looking for individual flowers that are ripe,you can also allow most of the seed to dry on the plant and then you can cover it with a paper bag, cut the stalk, tie off the bottom of the bag, turn it upside down and allow the seed (and a good deal of chaff) to accumulate in the bag. Blow off the chaff (delicately because lettuce seeds are not that heavy themselves) allow to dry in a warm place until they are not moist, store in a cool and dark place until ready to plant again!

BUSINESS MEETING

The Best Practices Committee is seeking new active members, who will be involved with teaching members how to save seed from a specific "portfolio,"for which you will become "the expert" for SLOLA. This committee meets at NOON on the day of regular meetings (3rd Saturday of the month).

Sarah Spitz (secretary) shared news about the SEED Award ceremony: SLOLA was awarded the"Resource Preservation Award" by the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition; and the award is given on September 22 in Hawthorne. All members are invited to attend this free event at 3 pm at the Ayres Hotel.

Also:Thank yous were offered to KCRW's Gregg Lewis and PACE Lithographers for donating their services to create and print business cards, which Linda Preuss (chair of Database Committee) and Albert Chang (co chair of Best Practices) were able to put to use at the National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa in September.

A"Food for Thought" dinner is being held to raise funds for SLOLA, courtesy of Large Marge Sustainables, a catering company that sources locally and seasonally, and CitySip LA which arranges the liquid refreshments for these intimate dinners. They are held at the Green Beacon Foundation, in a privatehome, and they raise money for good environmental and sustainable, eco causes. SLOLA was adopted for the September 24th dinner.

Davidappeared at the Hollywood Farmers Market's Peak of the Season Tomato Festivaland talked about tomato seed saving. He appeared at the Good FoodFestival at Santa Monica High School on September 17to give a general introduction to Seed Saving and SLOLA. Megan Bomba also spokeat a community garden exchange meeting at Milagro Allegro on August 25th, atwhich 8 new members signed up.

David is launching a new "Essentials of Seed Saving" seminar on three Thursdays, October 20, October 27 and November 3. He will also present "Growing Food in Southern California" on October 1, and another series of certificated classes in the Grow LA Victory Garden series, presented by the UCCE/LA County Master Gardener Common Ground program on October 1, 8, 15 and 29, 1 pm to 4 pm. All classes are held at The Learning Garden.

Special thanks to our volunteer librarians Lucia Burke, Lucinda Zimmerman, Linda Preuss, Azita and Keianna Jolaei,Veronika Gillliland, Sara Meric, Ade Anaolapo and Sharon Weiner who've helped distribute seed and bring the inventory up to date. Also special thanks to Master Gardener Julie Strnad, who has been at two SLOLA meetings answering general gardening questions for our members.

David announced that he purchased seeds that he is donating to SLOLA from Pine Tree seeds and he spoke about Landreth Seed Company, which may go out of business unless they are able to sell 250,000 of their catalogs at $5by October 1st. It is America's oldest seed company, and David bought a catalog and seeds for SLOLA.

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, October 15th at 2:30pm, with an executive committee meeting at 1 pm at The Learning Garden.

Submitted by Sarah Spitz, Secretary

A Guide to Saving Seeds

Thanks to Kathryn Brown for permission to repost this article, originally posted by Kathryn Brown in Backyard Farmer.

Maybe it was the unbelievably tasty heirloom tomato you ate at brunch, or an herb whose scent reminds you of childhood. Or maybe you want to take a stand against the constrictive grip of global seed & chemical companies who dictate the world’s daily diet while threatening biodiversity and human health. You might want to save money and grow plants from seeds you know have not been treated with pesticides and so are safe for your family to eat. Saving seeds from most plants is quite easy, and can provide a never-ending stream of future food or beauty in return for some organization on the front end. Why not give it a try?
Getting Started
This is a project in which a little organization goes a long way. Label your seeds at every step of the way. Ideally, this means labeling the plant which is the source of seed, the harvested seeds as they dry, the storage containers in which they lay dormant, and the seedlings when you grow them again. When labeling plants, you will want to include at least the following information: name of variety, where or who you got it from, when you got it, any defining characteristics like drought tolerance or unusual color, and any special care instructions such as early planting date or soil preparation. It may seem like a lot of information, but it will help you down the road!
Certain plants pollinate themselves, and others are cross-pollinated by insects and/or wind. When cross-pollination happens between varieties, a hybrid is produced. This is undesirable to seed savers because hybrids often don’t produce “true to type”, meaning that the child plants will not look like the parent plant and may even be sterile. So take note of where other plants of the same species are located near your growing space and attempt to isolate plants from being cross pollinated by wind or insects. It’s a good idea to consult a written growing guide or expert familiar with your area when establishing safe isolation distances for a particular plant.
Harvest
Seeds can generally be harvested once the plant completes its growth cycle. Select seed only from plants that performed strongly and are disease free. Flowers are usually ready about a month after flowering, when the plant begins to dry and petals drop. For fruits and vegetables, this means leaving them on the plant about a week past normal harvest ripeness. Harvest before it starts to rot on the plant, as this creates heat that may kill the seed embryo. Some plants forcefully eject seeds from the parent plant. With these types, you will have to watch closely as harvest time approaches so you don’t literally lose your seed to the wind!
Certain plants, like tomatoes and squashes, have germination-inhibiting chemicals in their flesh which must be removed before the seed is stored. This is, luckily, a pretty easy task. For seed encased in flesh, scoop the seeds into a bowl of water and stir occasionally. After a couple days, the healthy seeds will settle to the bottom and the flesh and non-viable seeds will float to the top. Simply skim the plant matter off the top, drain the now-clean seeds, and lay out on a paper towel to dry completely. Drying seeds completely before storage is essential, so no matter what type of seed or harvest process you use, allow at least a week of drying; more if necessary. One general way to tell if seeds are dry is if they break rather than bending flexibly.
Once dry, seeds should be stored immediately so that they don’t reabsorb water from the surrounding air and possibly trigger germination. A popular method for storing seeds is in small paper envelopes, which are easy to label and stack in a jar. This larger jar should be secured to prevent moisture from getting in, but not completely airtight, or it will prevent seeds from transferring necessary gasses while in dormancy. Seeds stored like this in a freezer can remain viable for many years. Alternately, they may be stored in a refrigerator for a somewhat shorter time, perhaps a few seasons. The goal is that they be held at a constant temperature in cool dry conditions which mimic those of winter.
Community
The perpetual cycle of pollinating, harvesting, storing, and growing different seeds is something that gardeners may find daunting to take on alone. It is for this reason, among others, that a new storage model, the seed library, was born. By dividing the duties of maintaining viability between many members, seed libraries allow a variety of seed types to be preserved which would be impossible for the individual gardener. Growing seed within a community also strengthens the seed for local conditions and allows a potential grower to benefit from the collective knowledge of all who have grown that variety. The Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA), which recently was awarded the prestigious 2011 SEED Resource Preservation Award, is a repository for vegetable and other food seeds adapted to Los Angeles’ many micro-climates, and is a source of quality seed and growing information. For more about SLOLA, incuding a calendar of upcoming meetings, visit www.slola.org. Expert advice can also be obtained via the Master Gardener program, a network of growers certified by the county to assist residents with cultivation information. Most area community gardens are run by or have contacts with local Master Gardeners, and this can be another valuable resource for those interested in saving seeds.
By nurturing plants through the entire cycle of life and rebirth, it is possible that the one tasty heirloom tomato you plant today could still be feeding the families of your grandchildren. And wouldn’t that be a lovely gift for their future?
(photos by Kathryn Brown)

david

Spirit of Venice Award To Be Presented to David King

Just three days after accepting the "SEED" Award from the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition on September 22, DAVID KING will be honored with the "Spirit of Venice" Award at the Abbot Kinney Festival!

Come out and celebrate with us as David -- the Founder and Chair of SLOLA and Gardenmaster of The Learning Garden at Venice High School -- receives this award at the annual Abbot Kinney Festival on Sunday, September 25.

The awards ceremony takes place on the Andalusia Stage (across the street from Intelligentsia) beginning at around 3:15 pm. Winners of The Spirit of Venice Awards are nominated by the community for their contributions to the heart and soul of Venice. David King's nomination was unanimously agreed upon by the committee members!

One of Southern California’s most popular community events, the 27th annual Abbot Kinney Festival will be held on Sunday, September 25, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Held on the last Sunday of September since 1984, the FREE community festival features local artisans, live music, great food, family entertainment, and lots more.

Check out the indie band line-up at the Andalusia Stage produced by Milkmade. Head over to the Brooks Stage for live music and deejay tunes curated by L.A. Record and dublab. The Palms Stage at The Brig will showcase popular deejays from dublab. 

Organized by the Abbot Kinney Festival Association (AKFA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the annual Abbot Kinney Festival has grown in size and popularity to become one of the largest of its kind in the country, attracting nearly 150,000 people. Proceeds from sponsorships, booth exhibitor fees, official merchandise, and event concessions benefit youth and families through the AKFA Community Grants Program.

During this year’s Abbot Kinney Festival, beginning at 3:15 PM on the Andalusia Stage, the AKFA board of directors will award grants to the following Venice nonprofits: 826LA, Beyond Baroque, Inside Out Community Arts, Venice Arts, Venice Oceanarium, and A Window Between Worlds.

In addition, the 2011 recipients of the AKFA’s Spirit of Venice Awards will be recognized. Nominated by the community for their contributions to the heart and soul of Venice, they include the following:

• David King, Garden Master of Venice High School Learning Garden and Founder & Chair of the Seed Library of Los Angeles (SLOLA)

• Venice Art Crawl (accepted by co-founders Daniel Samakow, Edizen Stowell, Mark Rojas)

• Yo! Venice! (accepted by co-founder Bret)

• Teresa Skinner, Sr. Lead Officer at Los Angeles Police Department

Parking & Transportation: Ride your bike, carpool with friends, or use public transportation such as Metro (www.metro.net), Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (www.bigbluebus.com), and Playa Vista Beach Shuttle. Venice Beach has public parking lots, but spaces fill early. Several parking lots are located near Windward and on Electric Ave., Washington Blvd. near Venice Pier, and in Marina del Rey. Look for spaces along Venice Blvd. west of Lincoln Blvd. and along Main St. 

NOTE: The Abbot Kinney Festival and Los Angeles Triathlon have worked together to minimize early-morning inconveniences that any street closures from both events may cause. Festival organizers have been informed that the westbound lanes of Venice Blvd. will be kept open at all times and that the eastbound lanes of Venice Blvd. are expected to be open no later than 11 AM.

A New Seed Saving Seminar With David King!

It's about time.  Last January we had a seed saving seminar with SLOLA Chair and Founder, David King that was thoroughly enjoyed by every one.  We have finally pinned the dates down and are very pleased to announce our next offering: 

Essentials of Seed Saving

Generations before us understood the importance of saving seeds. It was an essential part of the lives of all our ancestors. This vital connection was lost as we began to purchase our seeds from seed sellers. In recent times, the specter of GMOs and monster corporations controlling the seeds they created and the very real prospect of seed corporations having control over our food supply.

October 20, 27 and November 3, 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, at

The Learning Garden,

SE corner of Walgrove Avenue and Venice Blvd.

310.722.3656 or greenteach@gmail.com

Saving our own vegetable biodiversity today provides us

• those old open pollinated varieties that taste good.
  
• a wider range of vegetable varieties and more control over what we can have.
  
• a closer participation in the cycle of life. In our gardens.
  
• a hedge against personal financial misfortune.
  
• a safeguard against food shortages.
  
• our own way to mitigate against climate change and it's impact on agriculture.
  
• the means to fight our shrinking biodiversity.
  

Upon completing this short course, participants will know why we urgently need to learn how to save seeds, the basics of saving most vegetable seeds, optimum conditions for seed preservation, how to preserve the genetic lines of different types of seed and short-cuts and tips from someone steeped in the seed saving ethic.  

David King began his time in the garden at his Grandfather's knee back in northeast Kansas.  He has been an avid gardener for most of his life and has taught gardening and horticulture at UCLA Extension and UC Cooperative Extension.  He has been with The Learning Garden at Venice High School for over ten years and is the Chair of the Seed Library of Los Angeles. He has written the LA Garden Blog for over three years as well as several columns for periodical publication.  A course of information, delivered with passion and humor is guaranteed.

We have limited seating, reserve your space now!

SLOLA members get a $10 discount - email David for enrollment procedures. 

Prices:  $40 before October 13; $45 October 13 to 19; $50 at the door

Date Enrolled

Before10/13/2011 $40.00 After 10/13/2011 $45.00 At The Door $50.00

                                                      

The First Publication of Proposed Bylaws for SLOLA

 This comprises the first publications of our proposed bylaws.  If you are a member of SLOLA, you are invited to read these bylaws and comment on them, either via the blog or in the next few meetings.  Bylaws will be amended in committee for the next month and then submitted to the membership at the October meeting for a vote.  If conclusive, the bylaws will be adopted and elections held to establish officers for the coming two years.  If not conclusive, amendments or other work will take place to allow them to be adopted.  It is the intent of the current board to begin to operate under a set of established bylaws as soon as possible, creating a legal framework to become a recognized 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  Please read this document and make comments, pro or con, as you see fit.  Thank you, David King, Chair

Bylaws

Seed Library of Los Angeles

Article I – Name

The name of this organization shall be Seed Library of Los Angeles, hereinafter referred to as SLOLA.

Article II – Mission

Our mission is to facilitate the growth of open-pollinated seeds among residents of the Los Angeles Basin. We are building and maintaining a seed collection and repository, educating members about the practice of seed-saving, and creating a local community of seed-saving gardeners. We seek to preserve genetic diversity, increase food security and food justice in our region, safeguard alternatives to GMOs, and empower all members through a deeper connection with nature and the experience of self-reliance. We will strive for excellence in all that we do, knowing the preservation of seed is a sacred trust.

Article III – Members

Section 1. Eligibility for membership

All persons who are interested in growing and/or saving seeds AND sign the Safe Seed Pledge (To wit, Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative. We pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political, and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities.) are eligible for membership.

Section 2. Dues

A lifetime membership of $10 is due upon completing the membership form and signing the Safe Seed Pledge.

Section 3. Fines/Fees

Fines/Fees may be imposed as needed. The Board of Directors may add new fees as required for continued operation of SLOLA.

Section 4. Resignation

Members may resign by sending a letter to the Membership Committee.

Section 5. Voting

All members in attendance and in good standing are entitled to one vote.

Article IV – Officers

Section 1. Officers

A. The officers of the board shall consist of a Chair, Vice Chair, past Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Chair of each standing committee elected by the members or appointed by the Chair if an election is not possible in the time frame needed to fill the chair of a standing committee.

Section 2. Duties

The duties shall be as follows:

A. The Chair shall preside at all Board meetings, appoint committee members, and perform other duties as associated with the office.

B. The Vice-Chair shall assume the duties of the Chair in case of the Chair’s absence.

C. The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the Board, keep all approved minutes in a minute book, and post the minutes on the SLOLA website or mail them to members without internet access by request.

D. The Treasurer shall keep record of the organization’s budget and prepare financial reports as needed and make these reports publicly available to the membership.

Article V – Elections

Section1. Election & Nominations

A. Elected officers (Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer) will serve a term of two years beginning January 1^st.

B. Elections will take place in October or November.

C. Nominations will be called for in an open meeting.

D. Only members in good standing may nominate for positions.

E. Each member is limited to two terms per position.

Article VI – Committees

Section 1. Standing Committees. The standing committees shall be: Best Practices; Membership & Education; Database & Catalog; Publicity & Outreach; and Organization.

A. Best Practices. This committee is responsible for setting and reviewing seed qualifications to be included in the library.

B. Membership & Education. This committee is responsible for keeping an accurate and updated membership list. This committee is responsible for sending membership-wide announcements and updates.

C. Database & Catalog. This committee is responsible for creating and maintaining an accurate and up-to-date list of all seeds in the library.

D. Publicity & Outreach. This committee is responsible for creating and maintaining a SLOLA website. This committee is also responsible for coordinating the marketing of public outreach events.

E. Organization. The organization committee is responsible for reviewing the bylaws and submitting amendments for review by the membership. This committee is also responsible for setting procedures for the checking out and returning of seeds.

Section 2. Special Committees

Special committees may be appointed by the Chair, the board, or the membership.

Article VI – Meetings

Section 1. Regular meetings

Regular Meetings will be held no less than 2 times per calendar year. The Board shall set the date of all general meetings.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called at any time by the Chair or a majority of the board.

Section 3. Agendas

Agendas shall be available at least one (1) day in advance, if requested.

Article VII – Voting

Section 1. Quorum

A majority of the board constitutes a quorum. In absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date.

Section 2. Motions

Passage of a motion requires a simple majority (i.e., one more than half the members present).

Article VIII – Fiscal Policies

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the board shall be January 1^st to December 31^st.

Section 2. Expenditures

The Board must approve all expenses over $50.00

Section 3. Petty Cash

The Chair is authorized to keep $50 in Petty Cash. Receipts should be given to the Treasurer for accounting purposes.

Section 4. Guidelines

No part of the net earnings of SLOLA shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the mission statement. No substantial part of the activities of SLOLA shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and SLOLA shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributions of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, SLOLA shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any further federal tax code.

Section 5. Dissolution

Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets remaining after payment of all debts shall be distributed to The Learning Garden at Venice High School for the purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for public purposes. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes ot to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article IX - Parliamentary Authority

Roberts’ Rules of Order (Newly Revised) shall govern unless otherwise provided for in the bylaws.

Article X – Amendments

These by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present.

Article XI – Time of Taking Effect

These bylaws shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.

SLOLA SEPTEMBER 2011 EVENTS

Sunday, Sep 11: At the Hollywood Farmers Market, David King joins the "Peak of the Season Tomato Festival" with a presentation on Tomato Seed Saving. Festival events begin at 8:30 a.m. and run through 12 noon.

Saturday, Sep. 17: 1 to 1:30 pm At the Good Food Festival and Conference, at Santa Monica High School, David King gives a presentation on "The Need for Seed" -- Save seeds, save the planet! In a world full of GMO plants, learn why it’s important to save your own seeds and how to do it. www.slola.org (entrance fee to Festival is $10/day)

Saturday, Sep 17, 1:30 to 3 pm David appears on a panel as part of the Good Food Festival in the Chorus Room at Santa Monica High School

School garden designers discuss how they have successfully created unique and distinctly different programs that are changing the way schools feed and teach children. Presented by Marika Bergsund, Growing Great; Laurie Dill, Herb Project – 24th Street Garden; David King, The Learning Garden at Venice High School; Roger Lowenstein, Los Angeles Leadership Academy; Johann Hampton-Walker, Larchmont Charter School (Edible School Yard Program). Moderated by Yvonne Savio, University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County Common Ground Garden Program Manager.

Thurs., Sep 22nd at 3 pm: SEED Award for Resource Preservation honoring SLOLA will be given at the the South Bay Business Environmental Coalition Awards at the Hawthorne Ayres Hotel located at 14400 Hindry Ave., Hawthorne, CA 90250
--

MINUTES of the 8th GENERAL MEETING 8/20/11

MINUTES OF THE 8th GENERAL MEETING OF SLOLA:
SEED LIBRARY OF LOS ANGELES
AUGUST 20, 2011

Executive committee members present: David King, Sarah Spitz, Linda Preuss, Lucinda Zimmerman, Elizabeth Bowman, Patty Kestin, Timothy Smith, Albert Chang, Julie Mann

The tomato seed saving presentation was given by Albert Chang, co-chair of Best Practices committee.

Tomatoes belong to the solanaceae family (night shade) -- characteristic of this family is that the only EDIBLE parts are the fruits, not the leaves, which ca be toxic

Amusing history lesson: Technically, tomatoes are fruits, but thanks to the US Supreme Court, in a decision regarding tariffs, it is also classified as a vegetable. Albert has raised as many as 75 different varieties of tomatoes. They WILL cross pollinate; 2 to 5%, which is OKAY if you are just using it for food.

But for the sake of seed saving, you must protect them from cross pollinating. A good way to do this is similar to the presentation that David King gave on peppers: use an isolation cage, covered with a breathable fabric while the flowers are on the plant. One other way is to grow only the one variety of tomato by itself. Timing your planting is another -- so that when one flowers, the other doesn't, and you don't need to worry about cross pollination.

Spatially, if you put at least 10 feet between tomato plants, you may not have a problem. Put something between them that isn't a tomato. Cherry tomatoes are especially "promiscuous." Spacing is not the most reliable way to grow if you are collecting seed that you want to be pure, and to reproduce exactly the same variety.

Barrier method: isolation cage, as mentioned above. Prevents insects from entering and pollinating. Staple fabric that lets in air and light to a wooden cage frame, cover till the flowers drop; they'll self pollinate. Once the blossoms drop, take off the cage.

Alternative methods that are time and labor intensive: pollinate by hand. Albert grows in groups of six and gets up early to hand pollinate the earliest blossoms with a brush. Once done, cover the plant or the branch to prevent insects from cross pollinating. You can use tulle, old nylons, fine mesh screen. Once you've pollinated be sure to tie it off at the bottom of the plant so bugs don't get in and wind doesn't cross pollinate.

MARK the flowers that you've hand-pollinated with a red sharpie on the branch by the flowers you've brushed. Once barrier is removed, mark this as the branch you want to collect your seed from. Later, when you harvest, you can pick from tomatoes that are mature and green or mature and red: you can wait but they get soggier as they get more mature, and harder to save the seed. They are viable for seed once they transition from flower to fruit.

Cut the tomato across the equator, spoon out the seeds into a small dish. When tomato seeds are in the plant, they have a coating to prevent germination. Cover the dish with plastic wrap, poke some holes in it, put it someplace warm. Warning: IT WILL SMELL!

Mold and fungi break down the seed coating, in about 3 days, stir it up a bit, it will be stinky, pour through a fine sieve, and if you plan to exchange seeds, to guarantee that you kill any potential pests or diseases, mix 1 part bleach with 5 parts water(*info updated), put seeds in that bath for ONE MINUTE; RINSE; then lay them out to dry - either on paper towel, paper plate, newspaper or coffee filter. DON'T MIX YOUR SEEDS; label them and store in your refrigerator. Glass is best.

To keep them from becoming moist, use the silica packs that come in vitamin bottles or other such things that need to be kept dry. You can put these in your oven, with just pilot light on or at the lowest temp, for six hours, then put that in the jar with the seeds. Powdered milk also works.

HARVESTING TIP: Wait at least 36 hours after you LAST WATERED before harvesting.

REPORTS:
Membership committee chair Tim Smith reports that since July 10th meeting, 38 new members have joined (as of this meeting date), for a total of 161 members. You can join online or on-site. We are working on a privacy policy; input from members is welcome, especially if you have any experience with privacy policies.

The library opened for distribution on Aug 27, and four librarians volunteered their services for seed giveaways. The next step is to get the inventory up to date, with actual quantities updated after the distributions.

Other committees:
Bylaws -- these are being drafted and revised, we hope to post for member input, and in order to be a free-standing 501(c)3 non profit, we must have bylaws. We will try to finalize so we can push the paperwork forward.

Best Practices: we'd like to have a few more brave souls become experts in seed saving, especially so we can have presentations on fall and winter veggies.

General business: We're moving to a 3rd Saturday monthly meeting, except for September (due to schedule conflicts and commitments to appearances around town), which will be SEPT 10 at 2:30 pm at The Learning Garden.

David announced that SLOLA will receive an award from the South Bay Environmental Coalition, their SEED Award for Resource Preservation on September 22, and all are invited to observe. It's in Hawthorne, in the afternoon http://www.sbbec.org/seed.htm. David and Sarah are attending; we're happy to carpool, and would love to have more members come out and support this event and honor.

Also we are attempting to create relationships with other community gardens to hold seed that they grow, which we could offer to members.

We need more jars! Any size, with metal caps (not plastic) from baby food up to quarts.

The meeting was adjourned, and seed distribution took place after it ended.

Submitted by Sarah Spitz, SLOLA Secretary