@inbook {881, title = {Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity}, booktitle = {Harvesting nature{\textquoteright}s diversity}, year = {1993}, month = {October 1993}, publisher = {Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)}, organization = {Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)}, address = {Rome}, abstract = {For centuries rural peoples have encouraged and relied upon biodiversity for their livelihoods. Farmers have managed genetic resources for as long as they have cultivated crops. For some 12,000 years, they have selected varieties of crops and livestock breeds to meet environmental conditions and diverse nutritional and social needs. The immense genetic diversity of traditional farming systems is the product of human innovation and experimentation -- both historic and ongoing. This has been recognized in FAO by the resolution on farmers{\textquoteright} rights that acknowledges the past, present and future contributions of farmers in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources, and that they should be rewarded for their contributions.}, keywords = {biodiversity, genetic diversity}, url = {http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/004/V1430E/V1430E00.htm$\#$TOC}, author = {Office of Director-General, FAO [Edouard Saouma, Director General]} } @article {515, title = {An heirloom in the garden: Antique fruits and flowers are popping up all over}, journal = {Newsweek}, volume = {118}, year = {1991}, note = {

Comments on antique fruits and flowers that are popping up all over.\  For years, small groups of gardeners kept endangered varieties alive by collecting and swapping their seeds. Recently word of their work spread.\  Kent Whealy of Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa; Two mainstream catalog outfits, Gardener\&$\#$39;s Supply Co. and Smith \& Hawken.

}, month = {July 8, 1991}, pages = {66}, abstract = {

With the expansion of agribusiness, companies are looking for crops which will grow rapidly and produce a standard plant. These crops fit well into the package and can weather long trips to the market.

Hybridization has caused many different varieties of crops to all but disappear from the market. Plants have lost their regional differences with attention given to standardization. Among some of these lost crops are the howling mob corn, ice cream watermelons, and mortgage lifter tomatoes. These regional varieties are considered \"heirloom\" crops.

Their seeds are kept in circulation by small groups of gardeners swapping seeds. Organizations such as Seed Savers Exchange are helping small time gardeners to obtain seeds of regional varieties of crops and flowers.

}, keywords = {biodiversity, gardening, genetic diversity, germplasm}, author = {K. Ames and A. Underwood} }