Maize seed system diversity in New Vermont farming communities

This study uses a low coverage, whole genome sequencing approach to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of maize landraces grown by refugee farmers in community gardens in Vermont and New Hampshire. Anecdotally, these maize landraces were originally sourced through informal seed networks in Africa and Asia and later brought to the US by refugee and immigrant farmers. Farmers continue to grow and save seed from their traditional varieties, despite the temperate climate to which these varieties should be ill adapted. Thus, in general, we are interested in how these maize varieties have changed genetically through diaspora and, specifically, if they show evidence of temperate adaptation.