MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL SEED BANK & ALL THAT IT GROWS, with ED TOTH AND JOHN PRICE
- Jennifer Jewell
- 49 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This week, when we think about Cultivating Place well, we get to the seed of the matter in conversation with the team at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank, also known as MARSB. We’re in conversation with Ed Toth, the Executive Director, and John Price, MARSB’s Associate Director and Native Seed Collection Coordinator. As a collective, MARSB is wisely managing and conserving their region’s wild seed resources, and encouraging the development of the sustainable and ethical Native Plant Material supply chain throughout the region – a gift to private and public landscapes and economies.
When I was conducting research for "What We Sow, On the Personal Ecological and Cultural Significance of Seeds", I was so enthralled and amazed to learn of the work of the various entities at work to collect, preserve, and grow
forward the native seed supply in support of ecosystems, as well as public and private landscapes.
This week we speak with team members from one of these entities, people on the ground at this work for decades. MARSB germinated out of Ed's earlier endeavor formerly known as the Green Belt Native Plant Center, now known as the Park Plant Ecology Center and Nursery (PECAN), serving New York City’s parks with locally and sustainably sourced native plants and seed supply dating back to the late 1980s.
John is a certified member and past board member of the Association of
Professional Landscape Designers. He has worked to preserve historic landscapes for the past 23 years. First, as the Lead Gardener at Harvard University's Dumbarton Oaks for four years. He then spent at 13 years at Hillwood Museum and Gardens as Project Manager for the restoration of the gardens and outdoor sculpture collection. He became Head Gardener/Horticulturist for the British Ambassador's Residence 7 1/2 years ago. Here he uses traditional gardening practices, focusing on organic and sustainable methods of care. Additionally, John has created one of this country's most significant historic orchid collections. John has taught Landscape Design at the George Washington University, as well as sculpture at the Corcoran College of Art and Design for 12 years.
MARSB’s noble mission is to conserve and wisely manage the region’s wild seed resources, and to encourage and actively contribute to the development of the Native Plant Material supply chain throughout the mid-Atlantic region: from Eastern Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, along with the District of Columbia.
As Ed notes: “Our nation’s seed resources are in need of the same kind of wise management and conservation warranted by other natural resources, such as timber and oil.”
I could not agree more. Enjoy!
Follow MARSB online:
All photos courtesy of Ed Toth and John Price, all rights reserved.
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JOIN US again next week, where Abra Lee is exploring diplomacy and gardens. She is in conversation with John Sonnier, Head Gardener at the British Ambassador's residence in Washington, DC since 2009. John focuses on organic and sustainable methods of care AND he has created one of the United State’s most significant historic orchid collections. We can all use more diplomacy and orchids, right? Join us! That's right here, next week. Listen in!
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Thinking out loud this week...
Hey, it's Jennifer—
I am going to ask again – are you on the Cultivating Place mailing list? You SHOULD BE – because you will want to be the first to know about new conversations, upcoming gatherings with your Cultivating Place people, and updates on all that we are growing. Head HERE to subscribe.
As we work to roll out The Power of Gardeners documentary film series on PBS stations in 2027, we have SO Much in store for you. Including our now monthly virtual gathering – the third Tuesday of every month – which is next week! ON Tuesday, April 21st at 6pm EST join Ben and recent podcast guest, Brenna Estrada, for the very first Cultivating Place Book Club - you can sign up now! Even if you can’t attend, be sure to RSVP to receive the recording.
You’re also welcome to send Ben questions you’d like him to ask Brenna during their chat: you can email your questions to ben@visitbotany.co
You all know I love seeds – their forms, their functions, their profound shaping of our planet and contributions to our lives, to all of human civilizations over time. I love how Ed and John and everyone at MARSB recognize seed as an important arena of great value – a natural resource, gift in common. And this is how I see you – the Gardeners of our world. An entire category of value worth documenting, worth supporting, worth valuing for what you really contribute. We are the Gardeners, when we do it right, we grow the whole world better. Thanks for being here growing along –together and better. We are the seeds of so much!
WAYS TO SUPPORT CULTIVATING PLACE
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The CP team includes producer and engineer Matt Fidler, with weekly tech and web support from Angel Huracha, weekly communications support by Sheila Stern and Carley Bruckner, and regular hosting by Founder, Jennifer Jewell, as well as Abra Lee in Atlanta, Georgia, and Ben Futa in South Bend, Indiana. We’re based on the traditional and present homelands of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of the Chico Rancheria. Original theme music is by Ma Muse..
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