Almost forgotten vegetables // preservation of crops

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_Almost forgotten vegetables_

_______ An information and presentation system for the preservation of crop diversity______________________________

My project has been awarded the german federal award ecodesign 2020 in the category young talents. Further information about the award you can find h e r e.

My work contributes to the conservation of crop diversity in a sustainable ecosystem: seeds are the basis of our diet. This small, inconspicuous grain keeps us alive every day. Our ancestors grew countless types of vegetables in their own gardens, but what remains of them today? The offer in our supermarkets is sobering, many of the "old varieties" are no longer available. But that's not surprising, 90% of the crops have been forgotten in the last 100 years in Germany. With my modular sales and information system, I would take a stand against the big seed companies that took away the farmers open pollinated seed at the time of industrialization and have since then used their hybrid seeds to determine what ends up on our plates. I would like to familiarize consumers with the "old varieties" and encourage them to think about their own consumption behavior with regard to crops. They should be informed, encouraged and motivated to taste forgotten vegetables and to try new flavors. The seeds and the information are intended to motivate them to cultivate these varieties themselves and to arouse a new appreciation for the variety of vegetables in society. This sensitizes to more conscious purchasing and to return to the original nature, respect for seasonality, origin and honesty.

Crosne, cardo or orache? These are old varieties of vegetables that were cultivated by our ancestors and, unlike today's supermarket vegetables, are still open pollinated, so they are easily reproducible and proved themselves with an authentic taste. With this project I would like to make this unique, vanished diversity come alive again. For this purpose, a modular sales and information system was created, which can be used in a variety of ways and aims.

Seed Packaging

The entire design is based on the construction of the seed packaging. This is based on a prismatic body and, in its construction, facilitates the removal of the seed. The motifs of the varieties of old vegetables were created using linocut, which with its rough appearance fits very well with the topic .

Booklets

Booklets with information on cultivating the old types of varieties and with recipes take up the form of the seed packages again. The packaging can be put in the booklet spine.

Patch sign

Patch signs can be inserted into the ground. They mark the sown variety and are made of laser cut bamboo.

Presentation display

The individual components can then be placed in a display, which again takes up the shape of the seed packaging. It is made from a very light and stable paper honeycomb panel. Petri dishes show the great variety of vegetable seeds. The display can be placed in markets, health food stores or fairs to inform and inspire a large amount of people to follow up with their daily food.

Reference book (Leporello)

In addition, a reference book on the old varieties has been created in the form of a leporello, in which you get an overview of many of the «old varieties», as well as current reactions to the topic.