Seeds of Paradise - for South Florida and Haiti!

We want to grow a Seed Crop this fall,
and provide Veggie seeds to our members
here in South Florida, and to Partners in Haiti.

UPDATE:
In August 2011 we began growing a VEGGIE SEED CROP.
We need VOLUNTEERS to help gather, clean, dry and package these SEEDS.

VOLUNTEER:
Your work in MIAMI can help SAVE LIVES in HAITI!

Can you help?
Thanks for GIVING LIFE.

Though many in South Florida are poor, we have a wealth of unique resources that Haiti needs desperately.

Many plants are native to both Haiti and South Florida. There are also many with roots in Haiti who have personal reasons to help their homeland, and direct links there. Plenty of non-Haitians are also working to help Haiti heal itself.

We have expanded these operations. Now, we collect more than we need, and have placed a priority on both native and non-native fruit-trees and food plants.

UPG collects native plant seeds for to use in habitat restoration around South Florida, both in Parks and Back Yards.

UPG has been providing Seeds for use in Haiti since October 2008, with kilos of Seeds from eatable Natives and Cacao for economic development.

What started out as a trickle is becoming a RIVER of LIFE in 2010.

These seeds have already been sent to the island. Partners such as Operation Greenleaves Haiti (OGLHaiti.com) work with "grass roots" community organizations, assuring their training so that when we send a "Forest in a Box" it won't be wasted.

Some seeds will replace the habitat that deforestation has stolen. Others will provide food for people, and teach the value of trees as resources that must be protected.

We already teach restoration techniques. Kreyol-speaking members will be encouraged to join, and to communicate what they learn to Haiti, in person or through their contacts there.

We're beginning to collect tools, pots and planting supplies that they need. Other materials may also be collected.

Together, these resources are our Seeds of Change for Haiti.

Seed Use:
Seeds will be evaluated for suitability for Haiti and Miami-Dade. Many will go to Haiti.

Many will be used in Native Community Nurseries, where they will be used to teach nursery-work to volunteers (including Haitian-Americans). Plants and trees will be available to the seed-gatherers and other volunteers, and will also be used in Urban Paradise Guild projects and in Parks and Neighborhoods around Miami-Dade. By giving something back to our local ecosystems and people, we make sure they grow stronger (not weaker) while we assist our friends in Haiti.
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Roles YOU can play:

Gather Team Coordinators: Recruit friends, family & congregations to gather seeds. We tell you where and train you. You & your team work a routine day, once or twice every month.

Seed Seekers: Apply your naturalist skills to identify native seeds, and report where they are and when they should be ready to pick. Identify Invasive Exotic Threats. We'll coordinate a Gather Team to come and get them, and we may remove invasives at the same time.

Seed Processors: Clean, de-pulp and dry seeds for storage and shipment to Haiti.

Drivers: Make pickups and deliveries once or twice per month. You and your cars, hatch-backs, pickups and vans will deliver Seeds of Change.

Regional Staff: Coordinate and support Gather Teams. Various Volunteer Staff Positions. Some are administrative, others work in the field.

Stewards: Keep Invasives from taking over Native Habitat. Learn UPG's Organic Techniques! Protect the food supply for wildlife and the Seed supply in order to create even more habitat, both here and in Haiti.

Mechanics: Keep us rolling - we need help! Your know-how and tools will help us save lives.

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NEEDED:

We need stuff you may not be using.
Your donation will unlock the Power of Volunteers!

Seal-A-Meals: Machines, bags, vacuum pumps, etc.
Heavy Duty Zip-Lock type Bags (all sizes)

Nursery Space: got a turn-key nursery?
Warehouse and parking space is important.
Vacant houses would be very useful.
Office Space would be good.

Irrigation supplies: garden hoses, sprinklers, pvc tubing, valves, elbos, etc.
Shade Cloth
Nursery Items of all kinds

Desktop and Laptop Computers
Laser printers, with toner

Functional vehicles, especially pickup trucks, vans and SUVs.
Trailers, utility, open, closed, and boat.

Mobile Homes or travel trailers.