In late February 2023, Annabel Rabiyah and Amanda Chin of the Iraqi Seed Collective visited the Truelove Seeds office to help fill the first packets of Iraqi Seed Collective seeds (Iraqi Reehan Basil, grown by Experimental Farm Network), and prepare some of their other collectively-grown seeds for germination testing. We took the opportunity to record conversations with them about Annabel's work with Awafi Kitchen, which focuses on preserving traditional Iraqi Jewish food, and about their seed collective, which works with a wide array of gardeners and farmers from Iraq and the Iraqi diaspora in the US. At the end of this episode, you will hear from several other collective members who sent short phone recordings about their transformative moments being part of the collective, as well as a recording Annabel sent after returning from their family's first trip back to Iraq in 50 years. The episode begins with answering some listener questions about growing and cooking Mustard Greens, dealing with the Squash Vine Borer, and shelling peas with kids. 
SEED STORIES TOLD IN THIS EPISODE:
Introduction:
Broadleaf Mustard Greens
Squash Vine Borer in Pennsylvania

SEED STORIES:
Sesame
Rice
Aswad Eggplant
Amba (Mango, Cayenne, Fenugreek, Turmeric)
Ali Baba Watermelon
Rashad (Chamsur)
Al Kuffa Tomato
Fava Bean
Winter Melon
Flax

MORE INFO FROM THIS EPISODE:
2023 Iraqi Seed Collective General Interest Form
Iraqi Seed Collective (Instagram)
The Awafi Kitchen (Webpage)
The Awafi Kitchen (Instagram)
Beidth al Tbeet: Deconstructing the political history of an Iraqi Jewish meal (Youtube)
Garrett Williamson 
PA Flax Project

ABOUT:
Seeds And Their People is a radio show where we feature seed stories told by the people who truly love them. Hosted by Owen Taylor of Truelove Seeds and Chris Bolden-Newsome of Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden.
trueloveseeds.com/blogs/satpradio
 
FIND OWEN HERE:
Truelove Seeds
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FIND CHRIS HERE:
Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden
 
THANKS TO:
Annabel "Nibal" Rabiyah - Massachusettes
Amanda Chin - Pennsylvania
Rivka-Suad Ben Daniel - Southern California
Ali Hamad - Tennessee 
Monique Mansour - Southern California
Sarmed Yasser Jabra - Michigan
Ali Ruxin - New York
Rabab Al-Amin - Maryland
Cecilia Sweet-Coll (for consistent helpful feedback)

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