Our seed collecting professionals

Kathie and I are fortunate to have three expert seed collectors working at Pleasant Valley Conservancy right now.

How do you become a professional seed collector? There are no university courses in seed collecting (although the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa has a fine one-day workshop). You learn to collect seeds by working along side some experts, and Marci, Heisley, and Susan have had years of opportunity of working with Mark Martin, the king of seed collectors.

Right now seed collecting is at its peak. So many species are "ready".

Many people can learn to collect one species at a time. Our three professionals can collect lots more than one at a time. They carry two buckets, lots of bags small and large, and well-sharpened clippers. But what is really needed is a sharp eye and the knowledge of what each species looks like when it is ready. You don't learn this in books. You learn by doing.

And, believe it or not, it is fun. Note the smiles on their faces.