War Gardens

"Most of us don't think about agriculture as one of the losses of war. We think of the loss of human life, the rubbled cities and the looted archaeological sites... But agriculture, too, is an ancient heritage that can be vulnerable. In Syria, some farmers cannot access the seeds they need, fertilizer or irrigation, according to several Syrian agricultural experts and a July report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization."

Sowing the Seeds of Syria: Farming Group Rescues Plant Species Threatened by War. The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 04 Nov. 2015. Web. 03 June 2016. 

In collaboration with The Experimental Farm Network (EFN) this garden contains rare plants from the Middle East and Africa with the goal of preserving genetic, agricultural heritage under threat from war and conflict.

Seeds from these plants will be saved and returned to EFN.

Nineveh Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Named for the ancient name of the Iraqi city of Mosul, these tomatoes are said to be unavailable in their native city any longer due to continuing violence in Iraq.

Homs Eggplant (Solanum melongena) Named for a Syrian city that has been destroyed almost completely during the ongoing civil war. 

Soghum, Korjaj (Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor) A beautiful white-seeded sorghum from the war-torn Darfur province of western Sudan. 

Soghum, Coral (Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor) Sorghum from the war-torn city of Malakal in South Sudan.

Soghum, Nebur Der (Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor) Sorghum from the war-torn city of Malakal in South Sudan, developed as a staple crop over generations by the Shilluk (or Chollo) people.