CRESTONE — In keeping with the theme of the Shumei International Institute’s (SII) 16th anniversary – “Seeds of World Citizenship” and Shumei’s principal tenet of Natural Agriculture Shumei is very pleased to feature Ken Greene as the special guest speaker.

Greene’s presentation is titled “The Art of Seed”.  Planting a seed brings stories and spirit to life. See these ancient, historical, modern, and future seed stories through the eyes of artists—cultural seed savers. Ken’s presentation will take place following lunch on Sunday, May 20 starting at 2 p.m. in SII’s sanctuary.

Ken Greene is founder of the first seed library in the country, a project he germinated in a small town library. Today, Greene helms the Hudson Valley Seed Company, a national seed company and regional seed farm devoted to ethically producing seed for home gardeners and farmers and celebrating seeds through art. Greene is also co-director of Seedshed, a new non-profit organization focused on seed justice. 

Greene’s efforts have been profiled in a range of publications including New Yorker Magazine, Washington Post, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, New York Times, Heirloom Gardener Magazine, and NPR.  He has given presentations for diverse groups including the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Culinary Institute of America, Seed Savers Exchange, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Omega Institute, Garden Clubs of America, National Heirloom Expo, and Sante Fe Farmers Market Institute. 

For more information about Ken Greene and Seedshed please visit:  hudsonvalleyseed.com and seedshed.org

Directly connected to Greene’s presentation, SII’s special art exhibition will feature a selection from his remarkable art collection, many images of which are featured on his actual seed packets. Besides sowing seeds for plants, flowers and vegetables, Greene also sows the seeds of art seeking artists and commissioning original art that are featured on the Hudson Valley Seed Company’s seed packets and also in traveling art exhibitions. This special exhibition will open from 12:30 – 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 20 in SII’s art gallery and will hang through the month of June. SII would like to thank Ken for loaning pieces from his collection. The gallery will be open for viewing. Enjoy this beautiful intersection of art and agriculture.