Ways to work together

Seed conservation, farm and garden consulting, and grant partnerships. Choose one area or combine them in a single engagement.

Choose an area to explore

Seed preservation

Four ways to engage on seed preservation, from a first assessment to long-term stewardship.

Every project is scoped to your collection, staff and budget. The ranges below are typical and help with grant and budget planning.

Tier 1

Seed Preservation Assessment and Strategy

Best for: Organizations exploring seed preservation or strengthening existing efforts.

Scope

  • Review of current seed or living collections
  • Assessment of storage, documentation and stewardship practices
  • Identification of risks, gaps and preservation priorities
  • Strategic recommendations aligned with mission and capacity

Deliverables

  • Seed preservation assessment report
  • Prioritized short- and long-term action plan
  • High-level budget and staffing considerations

Typical timeline

4–6 weeks

Typical investment

$4,000–$10,000

Tier 2

Seed Bank and Living Collection Development

Best for: Organizations ready to build or expand seed banks or living collections.

Scope

  • Seed bank or living collection design
  • Accession protocols for collection, cleaning, storage and tracking
  • Documentation and record-keeping systems
  • Germination testing and viability monitoring plans
  • Training for staff and partners

Deliverables

  • Seed bank operational plan
  • Accession and storage protocols
  • Documentation templates and workflows
  • Staff training sessions or workshops

Typical timeline

2–4 months

Typical investment

$12,000–$30,000

Tier 3

Program Management and Long-Term Stewardship

Best for: Organizations seeking ongoing leadership, implementation or interim management.

Scope

  • Ongoing seed preservation program management
  • Collection maintenance and viability oversight
  • Farmer and partner coordination
  • Grant compliance and funder reporting
  • Monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity outcomes

Deliverables

  • Program work plans and timelines
  • Regular progress and impact reports
  • Funder-ready documentation and metrics
  • Stakeholder coordination and facilitation

Typical timeline

6–12 months or ongoing

Typical investment

$2,500–$8,000 per month

$30,000–$96,000 a year

Tier 4

Community Seed and Rematriation Programs

Best for: Community-based or farmer-led seed initiatives.

Scope

  • Ethical seed stewardship frameworks
  • Community seed libraries and sharing programs
  • Seed rematriation and cultural preservation support
  • Farmer and community education
  • Partnership development

Deliverables

  • Community seed program design
  • Educational materials and workshops
  • Partnership agreements and protocols
  • Program evaluation framework

Typical timeline

Based on scope

Typical investment

Custom quote

Agricultural programs and projects

Over 25 years of hands-on farming, brought to your institution.

I help universities, nonprofits and land trusts plan, run and report on agricultural programs, from site assessments and project management to teaching gardens and heirloom orchards, often as part of grant-funded work.

Program and Site Assessment

Best for: Universities, nonprofits and land trusts reviewing a research farm, campus garden or program site.

  • Site visit and review of current practices
  • Soil health and composting assessment
  • Crop planning and production review
  • Prioritized recommendations and next steps

Custom quote, based on scope

Project Management and Coordination

Best for: Universities, nonprofits and land trusts running grant-funded agricultural projects.

  • Project plans, timelines and budgets
  • Coordinating farmers, staff, partners and volunteers
  • Regenerative and organic practice guidance
  • Progress tracking and funder reporting

Custom quote, based on scope

Teaching and Demonstration Gardens

Best for: Universities, schools, public gardens and nonprofits that want a garden with a purpose.

  • Garden design around classes, programs or visitors
  • Planting and seasonal production plans
  • Farm-to-school and experiential education programs
  • Management plans your staff can run

Custom quote, based on scope

Heirloom Orchards and Living Collections

Best for: Botanical gardens, land trusts and institutions planting or restoring heirloom fruit.

  • Variety selection for place and purpose
  • Orchard design and planting plans
  • Care, pruning and long-term management plans
  • Integration with living collections

Custom quote, based on scope

Grant partnerships

Writing or running a grant? Bring in a field expert.

I work as a contractor on grant-funded seed and agriculture projects for universities, land trusts and institutions, from the proposal through final reporting.

Fees are built into your grant budget as a consultant or subcontract line, scoped to the funded work.

Pricing FAQ

Questions about cost and process

Don’t see your question? Email me and I’ll get back to you.

How much do your consulting services typically cost?

Most engagements range from $4,000 to $96,000, depending on scope, duration and complexity. Short assessments and strategy projects sit at the lower end. Long-term program management, living collections and larger farm or grant-funded projects sit at the higher end.

Do you charge hourly or by project?

Services are mainly offered as flat, project-based fees tied to clear deliverables. This gives organizations and funders cost certainty and keeps the work focused on outcomes rather than hours.

Hourly rates are used only for limited advisory support or short-term technical assistance.

What factors influence pricing?
  • Size and condition of the collection, farm or site
  • Level of risk to seeds, plants or genetic material
  • Duration and depth of the engagement
  • Staff training and management needs
  • Funder and compliance requirements
  • Community engagement or education components

Each proposal is tailored to the true scope of the work.

Can services be aligned with grant budgets?

Yes. Services are often structured to fit grant proposals, foundation budgets and restricted funding. Scope and deliverables can be adjusted to fit an approved budget while keeping the program sound.

Do you offer reduced rates for small or grassroots organizations?

Reduced-scope or phased projects may be available for small, community-based and grassroots organizations, depending on funding and capacity. Discounts are considered carefully so the work stays sustainable and high quality.

Is long-term program management available?

Yes. Ongoing program leadership and stewardship are available through monthly or annual engagements, usually structured as a retainer. These support continuity, compliance and long-term preservation outcomes.

What is included in the price?

Project fees typically include:

  • Strategic planning and technical expertise
  • Documentation, protocols and reporting
  • Coordination with staff and partners
  • Training and knowledge transfer

Travel, specialized equipment and third-party services are billed separately unless otherwise noted.

How is payment structured?

Payment is usually made in installments tied to project milestones:

  • Project start
  • Delivery of key reports or plans
  • Completion of training or implementation phases

This ties payment to progress and deliverables.

Can you bring in other experts?

Yes. For larger or more specialized projects, I can bring in experts from my national network and coordinate them as one team. Their involvement is built into the proposal, so costs are clear from the start.

What is required to get started?

We start with a conversation about your goals, timeline and resources. You then receive a written scope of work and fee proposal outlining deliverables, timeline and total cost.

Why invest in professional seed and agriculture consulting?

Seed collections, farmland and growing programs are long-term investments, and many hold irreplaceable cultural and genetic resources. Professional guidance helps organizations avoid costly mistakes, meet funder expectations, and build programs that are ethical, resilient and designed for long-term stewardship.

Let’s preserve what matters.

Whether it is a seed collection, a teaching garden or a grant-funded farm program, this is long-term work that takes care, clarity and commitment. I help botanical gardens, universities and nonprofits move from intention to implementation, so that seeds, land, stories and genetic diversity are protected for generations to come.

Send Michael a message

or email washburnseeds@gmail.com