To search out, preserve, perpetuate, study, and encourage the cultivation of heirloom and endangered varieties of food crops by: 

• searching out heirloom and endangered varieties, particularly Canadian varieties;
• encouraging and enabling gardeners and farmers to grow, maintain, and disseminate these varieties through the annual seed exchange project; 
• establishing and maintaining curatorial collections of Canadian varieties; 
• co-operating with individuals, groups, and institutions in Canada and internationally in aid of maintaining, supplementing, and salvaging existing collections of heirloom and endangered varieties; 
• encouraging commercial seed companies, nurseries, and related businesses to grow, maintain, and propagate, and commercially distribute these varieties as a means of perpetuating them. 

 

To educate the public about the importance of heirloom and endangered varieties of food crops and the need for their continued cultivation and preservation by: 

• addressing the general public and interest groups including farmers, gardeners, museums, gene banks, clubs and schools; 
• providing information on the proper methods of seed saving to maintain the genetic integrity of crop varieties;
• providing information on sources of heirloom and endangered varieties to those interested in obtaining and maintaining them; 
• providing a forum for sharing information and open discussion on issues relating to the preservation of genetic diversity of crop plants through publications, lectures, media presentations, conferences, and exhibits; 
• sharing information and experience with organizations in other nations to aid their efforts to maintain heirloom and endangered varieties.?