Cultural Research Instuite of Acadiana - CRIA was started in 2007. It is a non-profit organization that collects information, knowledge and seeds in order to teach how to live sustainably in South Louisiana. The organization wants to reach those who do it before they are all gone and the information/knowledge is lost.
Acadian seed bank is a bank of heirloom open pollinated seeds that are collected from people that have kept the strain of the seed going for at least five years. These are the seeds of our heritage. The many different cultures of South Louisiana can’t be sustained without sustainability as in the agriculture and life style. Once we become depended on outside sources that decreases our chances of sustaining our own culture. We must look into our agriculture and things related to it. An online database is going to be created to share the information obtained from the seed and knowledge donors.

(8:00): Agricultural knowledge of South Louisiana has been passed on for generations. One of the goals of the seed bank is to grow out shared seeds and multiply them so they can be given to others. The ultimate goal is that seeds can become a food source.

(11:28): Agriculture’s place in our culture is connected to every walk of life. A lot of music has been created in the fields and kept alive there.

(12:43): Japanese farmer (Fukueka) in his book "The One Straw Revolution" said that with the seeds from one straw of rice you could create enough food to feed the world. In addition to the rice, he had several other crops he grew. To have sustainability you also need diversity. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket. Acadian Seed Bank’s goal is to have a diverse collection of seeds to distribute to the community.

(16:19): We have gathered 16 seeds to date. To have a diverse model is our goal. This year we are focusing on collecting seeds. Next year it will be growing out the seeds. Michot returned to Lydia after 10 years to meet the people who had started his collecting.

(21:24): Kristen Kordecki discussed open pollinated plants: can be pollinated by wind, animals, water, by hand or natural occurrences. Open pollinateds are true to type and have the characteristics of both parents. Open pollinated plants are not genetically modified or hybridized.

(23:46): Heirloom seeds are handed down from generation to generation: Produce not suited for large scale production; taste better, look funny and many have a longer growing period; adapted to environment. They are passed down in families and are a critical food source is bad times.

(25:53): One of the things making this project so unique is that we are losing the genetic diversity as heirloom seeds disappear with our elders. Heirlooms can be a local food source. They can preserve a unique genetic fingerprint in Acadiana.

(27:38): Ask to determine if seeds or plants are heirloom, record information. Take photographs of the plants from seedling to fruit.

(28:27): Use simple and quick ways to save seeds. When collecting fleshy fruit seeds allow the fruit to completely ripen and store in glass jars. Store glass jar in freezer. There are many unique techniques for collecting and preparing seeds but keep it simple and quick.

(32:56): To store seeds: use dark, glass jars, be sure the lids are sealed. Restrict the number of times you open the jar or pull out of freezer.

(33:57): CRIA can pick up seeds after they are collected and prepare them. Send seeds in small muslin bags or envelopes and information about the seeds.

(35:35): Michot: We want to communicate with all those that have knowledge and preserve the knowledge and share it as a community effort. It is important to preserve these heirloom seeds because they are generally superior to store bought. Sustainable living is exemplified in a bousillage building ---cypress tree, mud and moss.

(42:37): Whitney Broussard - post doc researcher - working to help establish an exhibit at the Acadian museum showing the agricultural techniques of the early Acadians in Nova Scotia. Another project is to sponsor the Lost Bayou Ramblers to an event in Decatur, Illinois, which is interested in nutrients, pollutants and contaminants from agriculture that are making their way into the Mississippi River, to the coast of Louisiana and connected to the dead zone off the coast. There will be a presentation on Louisiana our landscape, our coast line and the Gulf of Mexico with stories, and music.