75 years of growing a better world A word from our Chair and Vice Chair As you know, in which our organization USC Canada’s new passionately believes,” as Lotta Hitschmanova put it. name is SeedChange. Both sentiments still ring true for us today. Yet, the time Deciding to update the name had come for our name to of this iconic charity has not catch up with the evolution been a quick decision. In fact, of our work. our records show that the first time the question was raised was in 1948, when the Keeping seeds in Unitarian Service Committee farmers’ hands is of Canada dissolved its powerful. formal ties with its sister organization, the Unitarian Dr. Lotta was the first to Service Committee of Boston. recognize the importance of supporting farmers when If successive boards chose she launched our first farmer to keep the name over the training program in 1968, in decades, it was because of India. Our work with farmers the outstanding contribution expanded organically until it of our many Unitarian donors became our exclusive focus and volunteers. It was also in 2007. because the name conveys Today, we are deeply rooted “the oneness of mankind in this life-changing work. We feel deep gratitude for Few organizations are lucky those who have stayed by our enough to stay vibrant, true side through the many seasons to themselves and relevant of this organization, helping to for 75 years. We couldn’t shape who we are today. have done it without your We hope you will find that unwavering commitment our new image reflects to creating a better world the vibrant, nurturing and by helping others help grounded nature of the themselves! organization built over the years. Canadians’ growing passion for good food, Thank you for your good seeds, and social dedication to changing justice bodes well the world with us, one for another 75 years seed at a time. of seeding change together. Abra Brynne and Leticia Deawuo Chair and Vice Chair, Board of Directors A word from our Executive Directors When we became Executive Our hope today is to Directors in 2016, we grow our community gained the privilege and of supporters so that responsibility of stewarding we can keep seeding an organization in which thousands of caring change in a fast- Canadians have placed their evolving world. trust over the years. With climate change at our We have seen the change doors, we urgently need more you’ve seeded on the ground. sustainable ways to grow our We’ve had the privilege of food. Farmers need support meeting many inspiring to retain access to land and farmers who are supported local seeds – essential assets by your generosity. Each that allow communities to contribution makes a real meet their basic needs. In difference for these women many areas of the world, even and men who strive to in Canada, this continues to improve their lives and create be a struggle. a better world for us all. Thankfully, food is a powerful We are proud of this way to grow a better world. organization’s 75 years of It’s a promise of better health, impact. None of this would a vehicle to build community, have been possible without and a vital connection to the your impressive loyalty to Earth that sustains us. That’s the cause! why supporting farmers changes lives. That’s why our We hope “SeedChange” will commitment to this work is signal to Canadians of all ages here to stay. that they can make the world a better place by supporting Reflecting on our first 75 farmers. The name is fresh years, it’s clear that we and inviting – and it reflects stand on the shoulders of our longstanding supporters. many generous, caring and After all, together we have dedicated people like you. been seeding change since 1945. Lotta’s vision of a “better, kinder world” We thank you, and look is alive. Our mission forward to writing evolved, but our values the next chapter of remain: compassion this incredible story for others, belief in together. people’s incredible potential, and a deep respect for the Jane Rabinowicz autonomy of those and Martin Settle we support. Executive Directors Dr. Lotta Born in 1909 in Prague, Lotta Hitschmanova was intelligent and fiercely determined. Even as she fled her home country to escape Nazi persecution, she helped hungry and displaced people along the way. When she arrived in Canada as a refugee in 1942, her desire to help continued. Lotta briefly worked in Washington with the UN refugee relief agency before returning to Ottawa with a vision. She turned to the local Unitarian community to help realize this vision – and in 1945 the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada was born. Shortly after, Lotta learned that her parents had perished in concentration camps. She worked tirelessly at the helm of USC Canada “so that their sacrifice may not be in vain.” Illness forced her retirement in 1983 but her USC family remained close until she passed away in 1990. During her exceptional life of service, Lotta saw the worst tragedies of her time, yet never stopped believing in the power of hope and generosity. Her values and visionary principles still guide us today. HER DREAM HER APPROACH “To think that one day the “Excellent, absolutely world will be a good place to trustworthy people can be live, not only for us in North found in every country, I America but for everyone, believe, if you take the time everywhere in the world, to detect them and provide training for them. This is our because it can be done.” basic principle.” “There can be sufficient “Why do so many people food grown, and there trust the USC? Because can be sufficient schools it’s completely Canadian, for eager children, and because it’s non- life can be something denominational, because very beautiful.” it gives aid regardless of religion, or race or political affiliation. It’s well run, closely supervised, and small investments bring big results.” “The strength of USC lies in its imagination, its flexibility and its direct contact with the people. It’s the link between you and them.” WE HAVE GROWN AND ADAPTED SINCE OUR START IN 1945 VISUALS farmer BUT OUR FOCUS ON BUILDING A BETTER WORLD HAS NEVER CHANGED. Alma Yamaris Hernández Aguirre, Honduras 1950s Canadians across the country mobilize to send goods, clothing and food to victims of conflict and famine around Where does the world. your journey with us begin? 1945 1948 The Unitarian Service “The USC” becomes an Committee of Canada is independent secular launched to help rebuild organization, but retains war-torn Europe. That first its name. year, Lotta raises $64,000. 1950s 1968 1979 Canadians across the country After witnessing famine in Bihar, Dr. Lotta Hitschmanova mobilize to send goods, India, Lotta works with a local is made a Companion of clothing and food to victims monk to start an agricultural the Order of Canada for of conflict and famine around training program for youth. A her visionary work and the world. similar program launches five innovative approach to years later in Bangladesh. humanitarianism. 1965 1970 The organization moves 25-year old Bruce Cockburn into 56 Sparks Street. The first gives to USC Canada, address becomes the famous remembering the kind and sign-off of Lotta’s public compassionate woman who service announcements. had visited his classroom when he was 10. 1989 2007 To help Ethiopian farmers Working with farmers around recover from drought and the world to grow healthy civil war, the Seeds of Survival food using good seeds program is born to save and and sustainable practices, multiply lost seed varieties. becomes USC Canada’s exclusive focus. Seid Shiferan and Ansha Seid, Deisy Gloria Delcid, Ethiopia Honduras Melaku Worede and Friederike Knabe 1983 1996 After nearly 40 years of tireless Lotta’s legacy inspires many work, Lotta steps down from donors to leave a gift to USC her role due to illness. She Canada in their will. This passes away peacefully in leads to the creation of the Ottawa on August 1, 1990. USC Foundation and the Lotta Hitschmanova Legacy Fund. 2007 Working with farmers around the world to grow healthy food using good seeds and sustainable practices, becomes USC Canada’s exclusive focus. Deisy Gloria Delcid, Honduras Sitan Diarra, Mali 2019 Just ahead of our 75th anniversary, we adopt a new, more memorable name Annie Richard, that reflects our Canada work with farmers 2013 and honours your Recognizing that farmers in Canada also need support to impact through time: rebuild local seed security, USC Canada obtains private funding to launch its first domestic program. Jit Bahadur Singar, Nepal We are a non-profit rooted in the notions of human dignity and equality, and focused on contributing to making the world a “better, kinder place for all” as our founder, Lotta Hitschmanova, put it. Today, we are part of a global movement fighting for justice, health and sustainability by shifting the way we grow our food. We work with farmers around the world to strengthen their ability to grow food sustainably, using locally adapted seeds. By harnessing the power of good seeds, farmers’ leadership and global solidarity, we help communities thrive. Together, we can build a just, sustainable and well nourished world. CHANGE STARTS WITH SEEDS. GENDER JUSTICE EQUALITY “When I was a child I never “We had an agricultural imagined I would get to base for hundreds of change many things. Now, years before European I’ve made efforts to move settlement. Today, we forward.