Utilization of Native Grasses and Forb Meadows as a Source for Native Seed Production

Mandates to use native wildflower and grass seed began in 1987 with the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act and have been reinforced by two Executive Orders. Current demand for native seed exceeds the supply, therefore the need exists to develop additional native seed sources. Land uses such as conservation, recreation, and wildlife habitat offer the potential for native seed production. Restrictions to establishing native grasses and wildflower areas include scarcity and cost of native seeds, lack of technical knowledge, access to specialized equipment and marketing opportunities. This Phase II project will work in three different regions of the US (Georgia, Texas and Virginia) to establish native grass and wildflower plots on private and public lands. We will demonstrate a business concept that includes technical assistance, access to specialized equipment, and assistance with marketing and distributing the produced native seed. The principals will work with contacts made during the Phase I to locate remnant native areas and collect locally adapted ecotypes of native plants. Some of this local seed will be planted in demonstration plots, which will be used in conjunction with the remnant areas for public field days to demonstrate the planting and harvesting techniques. The results of the studies will be used to refine the business concept for producing and marketing native seeds.