Resources for the film “Seeds of Life”
ABOUT THE FILM
Our environment—Mother Earth and biodiversity—is inextricably connected to our ongoing existence. That’s the takeaway message of 14-year-old Diya Payal’s film, SEEDS OF LIFE. This spirituality and approach to life infuses the work on the fields tended on her grandparents’ farm, located in the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Diya tells the story of generations of farmers who live off the land and sell the surplus crops they grow, and the importance of preserving and growing indigenous organic seeds versus industrially produced and genetically modified seeds.
LEARN MORE
Diya Payal brings her audience on a journey of learning and discovery as she illuminates the immeasurable value of indigenous seeds, biodiversity, and benefits of organic farming. Continue this journey for yourself by learning more about the importance of seed cultivation, farming and climate change. Visit the sites below to get started.
Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange works to educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating and sharing heirloom seeds, plants and stories.
https://seedsavers.org/
Seed Matters
Seed Matters focuses on conserving genetic diversity, promoting farmers’ roles and rights, seed research and education.
https://seedmatters.org/
The Organic Farming Research Foundation
The Organic Farming Research Foundation advances research on organic agriculture to create more resilient, healthy environments.
https://ofrf.org/
One Earth
One Earth focuses on the climate crisis. This is their information sheet on ways seed preservation is so important:
https://www.oneearth.org/saving-seeds-for-the-future/
The World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund’s “Living Planet Report, Youth Edition,” has infographics and visuals to help explain environmental issues, what they mean and actions to take.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/teaching-resources/toolkits/living-planet-report-2022-youth-edition
TAKE ACTION
Learning is an important first step, but biodiversity won’t be preserved unless we all make an effort to protect all the plants, insects, animals and other wildlife that comprise our diverse ecosystem. Join Diya’s fight to preserve biodiversity and have a positive impact on the environment both globally and locally where you live. Here are some organizations to get you started.
Organic Seed Alliance
Organic Seed Alliance watches intellectual property rights (IPR) actions that could give ownership of seeds to one company or organization instead of keeping them available to all farmers as natural resources.
https://seedalliance.org/resources/seed-patent-watch/
Yale Sustainability
Yale Sustainability has tips for preserving biodiversity.
https://sustainability.yale.edu/blog/6-ways-preserve-biodiversity
Re:Wild Biodiversity Preservation Action Funds
Re:Wild Biodiversity Preservation Action Funds provides funding for conservation resources.
https://www.rewild.org/action-funds
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy sponsors a variety of actions and climate justice campaigns around the world.
https://preserve.nature.org/page/80352/action/1