In light of climate change and natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene in 2021, there is a pressing need to rethink biodiversity and seed preservation.

The author emphasizes that relying solely on seed preservation, like storing seeds in freezers, can lead to neglecting the essential relationships and practices needed for maintaining biodiversity.

This discussion contrasts ex-situ conservation methods, practiced by institutions like the Millennium Seed Bank, with in-situ conservation, where seeds are actively grown and saved within their communities.

Concerns arise as large-scale seed banks often prioritize academic and corporate needs over community access, raising issues of biopiracy and the commodification of genetic resources.

The narrative surrounding seed preservation is intertwined with loss, prompting the author to advocate for a shift towards supporting small-scale, diversified agriculture instead of merely preserving individual seed varieties.

The ongoing climate crisis demands immediate and diverse adaptations in regional food systems, rather than relying on past preservation efforts.

Dr. Jim Veteto, who manages the Southern Seed Legacy Project, shares his experience of losing much of his seed collection in a hurricane, highlighting the fragility of seed preservation and the community's effort to recover.

In a similar vein, Roger Wynn, a seed saver from South Carolina, lost two freezers of seeds during the hurricane but chose to share his collection with local farmers, underscoring the importance of community in seed stewardship.

Ultimately, the author calls for a movement away from merely storing seeds in freezers to actively growing and sharing them within communities, emphasizing the need for living relationships with biodiversity.

While freezing seeds can extend their viability for decades, it presents challenges and underscores the finite lifespan of seeds.