Work Areas
Working Groups
Our Platform gets its most substantive work done through Working Groups.
- Intellectual Property & Breeders/Farmers’ Rights – Policy and advocacy to protect farmers rights to save and trade seed; viable economies for breeders, entrepreneurs, and seed companies
- Controlling Genetic Engineering – Policy advocacy, messaging, risk assessment, and training to minimize negative impacts of genetic engineering on biodiversity and genetic resources
Developing a Global Research Agenda – Addressing common global challenges; developing and sharing solutions; succession planning for the next generations of seeds and people
Deepening Organic Breeding Standards/Guidelines – Defining and improving practices; global guidelines, local/regional contexts
- Market/Trade Development – Value chain integration/interdependence; digital platforms; trade association linkages
In addition to global working groups, the Seeds Platform helps develop and facilitate national working groups.
Interested in joining one of our working groups or forming a national one? Contact us! seeds@ifoam.bio
Internships
There are a number of institutions willing to host internships in organic plant breeding, organic seed production, and agrobiodiversity, as well as a roster of mentors for new seed breeders and entrepeneurs. Download the list of institutions here. This list is growing. Please check with us for updates and to share your interest and inquiries.