The Mid-Atlantic Regional Seed Bank (MARSB) has developed a 6-part program to develop the native plant material supply chain for the mid-Atlantic region. MARSB recognizes that only by addressing all aspects of the supply chain simultaneously can it form, develop, and sustain itself.
- Identify the Need
Develop ecoregionally-based species lists for critical habitats in all mid-Atlantic states; promote their wide use among end users; provide technical assistance to individual end users in understanding their needs.
- Organize and Focus the Marketplace; Manage Demand
Seek consensus among end users around essential, workhorse species. Focus demand around the most essential species for wide commercial production. Organize and quantify need into an online marketplace where demand is easily understood.
- Collect the Seed
Focus seed collection on consensus species for each state of the mid-Atlantic region. Make ecoregional collections. Maintain a sustainable supply to feed commercial production.
- Clean, Bank, and Warehouse the Seed
Build and operate a seed cleaning facility for the region, in part, as a fee-based cooperative to NPMD growers. Operate a seed banking and warehousing facility for the region, in part, as a fee-based cooperative to end users, to hold increased seed at the ready for their defined needs.
- Support and Develop Suppliers, Assist Growers, Encourage and Support New Growers
Provide technical assistance to established growers on protocols specific to native plant species production. Encourage, train and support a cadre of new growers to sustainably enter the marketplace to help meet the demand.
- Facilitate a Communication Network of all Sectors of the Supply Chain
Run a network to coordinate supply and demand, solve bottleneck issues as they arise, and build a sustainable marketplace adequate to meet on-going and evolving demand.