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It’s
all about the seed. That’s the only thing Dave Bergin,
otherwise known as Munk (short for chipmunk), really
wants people to know about him. Working here in the region
for more than two decades, he makes very clear where his priorities lie.
Seeds lie at the very base of the food chain, and deserve much more respect
than they get.
While he’s proud to be a part of both the GLCC and Gorge Grown
Food Network, it’s mainly for the outlets they provide him to spread
the word about seed. That’s Bergin’s gift to the community
and an important one at that. Here in the Gorge, Munk believes, we have
better plans being put into action than most places. It’s a real
plus that so many people here are starting to make the connection between
food production and local economy.
A serious geneticist, Munk is adapting varieties of corn and legumes
to specific watersheds. He’s easily excited just talking about how
responsive his varieties have been. Even a 5% success rate is still a success,
he explains, because these seeds contain massive differences from their
parents. Bergin works with more traditional (and organic) methods of plant
selection and breeding.
Munk encourages everyone to be connected to the land around them. Walk
and smell, make the connection between it and the food you eat. Get everyone
in the neighborhood involved and make backyard gardens again a regular
scene, but remember, it’s all about the seed.
published September 02006, RiverHOURS Trade Directory, Vol. 2 Number
2.
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© 02004-02009 dbdesign
columbia river gorge, USA • last updated August 27, 2009
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