Native Seed – DRAFT
Growing Florida’s native seed supply through collaboration, research, education and market development.
A statewide network of agencies, universities, nonprofits, producers, consultants and practitioners working together to strengthen Florida’s native seed industry and support restoration, conservation and ecological enhancement efforts
Mission
To strengthen Florida’s native seed industry through collaboration, education, research and market development, ensuring the availability of native seed needed to support restoration, conservation and ecological enhancement efforts across the state.
Vision
A resilient and sustainable Florida native seed network that supports healthy ecosystems, thriving local economies and successful restoration outcomes through the widespread availability and use of Florida native seed.
Does the Florida Native Seed Partnership sell or distribute seed?
No. The Florida Native Seed Partnership does not produce, sell, distribute or maintain an inventory of native seed. The Partnership serves as a statewide network that supports collaboration, education, research and market development within Florida’s native seed industry.
If you are interested in purchasing native seed for restoration, conservation, landscaping, research or other purposes, please visit the Partner Directory and look for organizations identified as a Seed Vendor.
History & Purpose
The Florida Native Seed Partnership was established in 2025 to address the growing need for a coordinated approach to native seed production, collection, research and use throughout Florida.
As restoration, conservation, transportation, utility and ecological enhancement projects continue to expand, stakeholders across the state identified a need for greater collaboration to strengthen Florida’s native seed supply chain.
The Partnership brings together agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, private industry, land managers, producers and practitioners to identify shared priorities and advance solutions that support the availability and use of Florida native seed.
The Partnership serves as a forum for collaboration, information exchange, strategic planning and coordinated action to support Florida’s native seed industry and the ecosystems it helps restore.
Strategic Plan
The Partnership’s strategic plan serves as a roadmap for advancing Florida’s native seed industry through coordinated action, collaboration, and investment. Developed with input from partners representing government agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, private industry and practitioners, the plan identifies key opportunities and challenges facing Florida’s native seed network and establishes a shared framework for addressing them.
The strategic plan is organized around three primary goals and includes 14 action items designed to strengthen native seed production, collection, research, education, market development and partnership infrastructure.
Learn more about the Partnership’s direction.
Strategic Goals
Governance
Steering committee
The Steering Committee serves as the Partnership’s governing body, providing strategic direction, oversight, and leadership to advance the mission and goals of the Florida Native Seed Partnership. It is composed of representatives from agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, private industry and other stakeholder groups involved in Florida’s native seed industry.
- Jeff Caster (Chair), Florida Wildflower Foundation
- Stacey Matrazzo, Florida Wildflower Foundation
- Gage LaPierre, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences
- Michael Andreu, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences
- Terry Zinn, Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative
- Nancy Bissett, The Natives Inc.
- Alex Clark, F4 Tech
- Jason DePue, U.S. Forest Service
- Tina Hannon, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Joseph Hayden, Earth Balance
- Eugene Kelly, Florida Native Plant Society
- Joe Reams, Southern Habitats, LLC
- Jeff Smith, Florida Power & Light Company
- Tony Yacovetti, Sandhill Growers
Subcommittees
The Partnership currently advances initiatives through four subcommittees focused on priority topics:
- Education: Develop educational resources, training opportunities, demonstration projects and outreach materials.
- Economics: Evaluate native seed supply and demand, identify market trends and support industry growth.
- Research: Identify priority species, research needs and opportunities to strengthen Florida’s native seed infrastructure.
- Wildland Seed Harvesting: Support development of collection guidance, best management practices, training opportunities and sustainable harvesting approaches.
Interested in participating? Visit the Get Involved tab to learn more.
Join the Partnership
The Florida Native Seed Partnership welcomes organizations, businesses, agencies, institutions and individuals who share a commitment to strengthening Florida’s native seed industry and supporting restoration, conservation, research, education and ecological enhancement efforts throughout the state.
There are two ways to participate: as a Supporter or a Partner.
Supporter
Supporters are individuals or organizations that support the mission of the Partnership and want to stay informed, access educational resources and engage in Partnership activities.
Who should register?
- Individuals interested in native seed and restoration
- Students and researchers
- Landowners
- Community organizations
- Businesses and agencies seeking to stay connected
Supporter Benefits
- Receive Partnership newsletters and updates
- Participate in educational events, webinars and selected Partnership activities
- Learn about funding, collaboration, volunteer and engagement opportunities
- Connect with organizations and individuals involved in Florida’s native seed and restoration community
Supporter Expectations
Supporters are expected to engage respectfully and in alignment with the Partnership’s mission and values. Participation is flexible and may include educational events, communications, volunteer opportunities and other Partnership activities. Supporters interested in taking a more active role are encouraged to apply for Partner status. There is currently no required financial contribution.
Click to view the full Supporter definition and expectations.
Partner
Partners play an active role in advancing the Partnership’s mission, strategic goals, and initiatives through leadership, expertise, resources, services, or participation.
Who should apply?
- Government agencies
- Nonprofit organizations
- Academic institutions
- Seed producers and growers
- Consultants and practitioners
- Businesses and industry representatives
- Landowners and land managers
- Individuals with expertise or resources to contribute
Partner Benefits
- Recognition as an official partner
- Opportunities to collaborate on projects, demonstrations, trainings and grant proposals
- Participation in Partnership initiatives and subcommittees
- Input on strategic priorities and program development
- Networking and coordination with statewide partners and buyers
- Eligibility to serve on the Steering Committee
- Inclusion in Partnership directories and outreach materials
Partner Expectations
Partners are expected to actively contribute to the Partnership through participation, collaboration, expertise, services, resources or leadership. Additional expectations include maintaining active engagement, participating in Partnership meetings and activities, and supporting the Partnership’s mission and goals.
Partner Directory
The Florida Native Seed Partnership Partner Directory connects land managers, restoration practitioners, researchers, producers, and other stakeholders with organizations actively supporting Florida’s native seed industry.
Directory listings include a range of partners offering native seed supply, seed collection and harvesting, seed cleaning and processing, contract growing, installation services, consulting, research, and other related expertise. Each listing identifies the types of products and services offered, such as Seed Supplier, Seed Services, or other areas of specialization.
We encourage users to contact partners directly to discuss project needs, availability, service areas, and current capacity.
Looking for seed?
Use the directory filters to identify partners listed as Seed Supplier. Other partners may provide services, technical expertise, research or support for native seed production and restoration but may not sell seed directly.
Partners
The organizations listed in this directory are current Florida Native Seed Partnership Partners. Inclusion in this directory does not constitute an endorsement of any products or services. Visitors are encouraged to contact organizations directly to learn more about their offerings.
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS)
Categories
Research & Education
| Partner Name | Products and Services |
|---|---|
| Florida Wildflower Foundation | Nonprofit Education |
| Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative | Seed supplier |
| Florida Native Plant Society | Nonprofit |
| Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission | Public agency |
| Southern Habitats | Seed supplier Restoration services |
| University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences | Research Education |
|
Partner Name |
Products and Services |
|---|---|
|
Florida Wildflower Foundation |
Nonprofit |
|
Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative |
|
Projects
Many Partnership initiatives rely on collaboration among agencies, universities, nonprofit organizations, producers, land managers and practitioners. Interested in contributing expertise, participating in a working group, or collaborating on a project? Visit the Get Involved tab to learn more about becoming a Partner or Supporter.
Market Analysis & Forecasting
The Partnership is conducting a statewide assessment of native seed supply and demand to better understand current market conditions and future needs. Through surveys, interviews, and stakeholder engagement, this effort seeks to identify production capacity, purchasing trends, infrastructure gaps and opportunities for market growth. The information collected will help guide strategic investments, support producer decision-making and improve coordination between seed suppliers and end users.
Priority Species List
The Partnership is developing a statewide priority species list to help focus research, production, collection and investment efforts on species with the greatest ecological value and market demand. This collaborative process incorporates input from land managers, restoration practitioners, researchers, producers and agencies to identify species that are important for restoration, conservation, transportation, utility and ecological enhancement projects throughout Florida.
Seed Producer Training
The Partnership is working with partners to develop educational resources and training opportunities that support native seed production throughout Florida. Planned resources include production guidance, technical training, demonstration opportunities and educational materials designed to assist both new and experienced growers in expanding Florida’s native seed supply.
Foundation Seed
The UF/IFAS Native Plant Nursery at the Plant Science Research and Education Unit (PSREU) in Citra is establishing foundation seed plots for Florida native species. This effort helps develop the source material needed for future seed increase and production, supporting the availability of native seed for restoration, conservation and ecological enhancement projects across Florida.
Public Lands Harvesting Program
The Public Lands Seed Harvesting Program is exploring opportunities to increase the availability of Florida native seed through sustainable collection on public lands. In collaboration with public land managers, universities and industry partners, the program is evaluating training needs, collection guidance, best management practices and demonstration opportunities that support responsible wildland seed harvesting while protecting natural resources.
Demonstration Projects
The Partnership supports demonstration projects that showcase native seed production, collection, establishment and management practices. These projects provide opportunities for education, research and knowledge sharing while helping practitioners evaluate approaches under real-world conditions. Demonstration projects may include seed production plots, restoration sites, educational landscapes, collection demonstrations and other applied learning opportunities developed in partnership with organizations across the state.
Questions?
- Learn about becoming a Partner or Supporter
- Discuss seed collection on private and public lands
- Explore native seed production opportunities
- Connect with native seed suppliers and service providers
- Learn about training, research, and demonstration projects
- Identify resources for restoration and conservation projects
- Ask general questions about Florida’s native seed industry
If you’re not sure where you fit within the Partnership or have questions about how to get involved, please contact Partnership Coordinator Ali Rieman.