December 19, 2016 – January 1, 2017
Mt. Washington — Luminaries in the field of ecological agriculture and interrelated disciplines gathered here in the Berkshires two weeks ago. Farmers, researchers, nutritionists, physicians, nature educators, supporting industries and the curious composed the spirited swarm attracted to the Bionutrient Food Association’s (BFA) 6th Annual Soil and Nutrition Conference (SNC) titled “Nature as Solution.” The stated purpose, to cultivate “synergy to put nutrition and flavor back on the table,” was realized through exhaustive workshop offerings. The choice of venue, Kripalu, accommodated more than 300 attendees in a fitting, naturally beautiful environment. Rare among conference destinations, Kripalu Kitchen’s philosophy and practice embody BFA’s goals.
I was lured to the conference upon hearing that two of biological farming’s legendary figures would be presenting. They are John Navazio, organic seed production specialist, now manager of the plant breeding program at Johnny’s Selected Seeds in Maine; and Joel Salatin, whose multigenerational Polyface Farms in Virginia is a model of sustainability, the result of observing and responding to natural processes and “Peopling the Farm.” When I perused the program brochure (available on the BFA’s website), I was elated by the array of compelling sessions and presenters.
For this first of what will likely be several articles inspired by the genius encountered at every turn at this Soil and Nutrition conference, I am delighted to bring to you a taste of the experiential session “Sensory Evaluations of Vegetables” conducted by agricultural researcher Lane Selman of Oregon State University and John Navazio. Beginning with an aspect of the backstory of seed development seems fitting as the old year turns to the new and all of us have already or will soon choose seeds for our gardens and farms.
The opportunity for “Sensory Evaluations of Vegetables” at blind tastings, as shown in the photographs, offer the seedsman, the grower and the consumer experiences of discovery and collaboration. Staging an event is an ambitious undertaking. A selection of vegetables is prepared for sampling in ways they are usually eaten: raw, roasted, marinated, pickled or cooked to optimum doneness. Evaluation sheets are prepared and distributed. See the Flavor Wheel, an example of characteristics that Lane “used as an example for developing a lexicon for winter squash.” In general, vegetables are evaluated by appearance, flavor, texture and sweetness. Typical flavor descriptions are sweet, savory, bitter, fruity, musky, tart, soapy, perfumy, smoky, pleasant and off flavors; additionally: pungency, spiciness, earthy, mustardy, tomatoey.
In a conversation, I pressed John to recommend a few outstanding vegetable seed varieties and guidelines for choosing the most nutritious among them. This is, roughly, what he said, “We always work on high carotenoid pigment, the orange in carrots and squash. The darker the orange the more beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A when eaten; carrots are more nutritious cooked than raw. ‘Bolero’ exceeds in taste tests, is nutritious and a reliable workhorse. Of the open-pollinated varieties, choose ‘Scarlet Nantes’.” When thinking beets and beauty, reach for golden ‘Touchstone’ and ‘Chioggio’, which also offers complexity of flavor.
Here are a few more tips harvested from my interview with seedsman Navazio. Lutein, widely known as the eyesight pigment and helpful in preventing macular degeneration, is evident in the deep golden pigment of winter squash and dark green leafy vegetables (golden color masked by chlorophyll.) Choose the dark spinaches and lacinato-type kale like ‘Tascono’.
The photograph of the vibrant seed-producing field will appear again in a future article describing John Navazio’s other workshop offered at the SNC, “Evolutionary Plant Breeding on the Farm.”
Opportunities to participate:
Bionutrient Food Association – https://www.bionutrient.org/about-us
January 6 – 8 John Bagnulo, a SNC presenter, at Kripalu – https://kripalu.org/presenters-programs/build-your-nutritional-foundation-health-and-vitality
Seed Internship Program – https://www.seedalliance.org/NOVIC/
Why purchase organic seed? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPnVkvCsHOA
Resources:
The Organic Seed Grower: A Farmer’s Guide to Vegetable Seed Production – https://www.johnnyseeds.com/about-us/news/press-release-john-navazio-plant-breeder.html
John Navazio, Plant Breeder, Author
https://www.seedalliance.org/NOVIC/
Lane Selman, Oregon State University, Founder, Culinary Breeding Network-https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/content/lane-selman
