Growing Flavor:
Lane Selman & the Culinary Breeding Network
Lane Selman’s journey from the citrus groves of Florida to the heart of Oregon’s food scene is rooted in a deep connection to agriculture, flavor, and community.
Raised on the farm her Sicilian great-grandparents established in 1919 on Florida’s Space Coast, Lane studied agriculture at the University of Florida before moving west to Oregon in 2000. Today, she’s a Professor of Practice at Oregon State University and a nationally recognized food advocate. Her work promoting biodiversity and connecting farmers, chefs, and plant breeders has redefined how we think about the food we grow—and how we celebrate it.
In 2012, she founded the Culinary Breeding Network (CBN) - a community-building initiative dedicated to developing and promoting organic, flavorful varieties of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Lane’s mission is to bridge the gap between the field and the kitchen, putting flavor and farmer engagement at the center of seed development.
From the beginning, Wellspent Market has been a committed collaborator in fulfilling this mission. Lane quickly became friends with Jim and Noah while they all worked at the PSU Portland Farmers Market nearly 15 years ago. Their shared love of good food and local farming sparked a long and fruitful partnership. Together, Wellspent and CBN have created beloved seasonal events like the annual Tomato Fest (mark your calendars for mid-September!), the Green Bean Festival, and Saint Joseph’s Market.
Wellspent is also a staple partner at major Culinary Breeding Network gatherings like Variety Showcase and Sagra del Radicchio (next one is December 7th at The Redd in Portland). From Radicchio Exploration Boxes to a dry-farmed tomato recipe video series, Lane and the Wellspent team are constantly scheming new projects and celebrations to engage and interest people about food and farms.
Now, the collaboration continues with a CBN pop-up shop tucked inside Wellspent Market. It’s a colorful, produce-loving corner filled with Bitter is Better totes, limited-edition zines, enamel pins, stickers, tagliapuntarelle (puntarella cutters!), and a curated seed collection.
Photos via Shawn Linehan
Planting the Flavors of Italy: Seeds for the Curious Cook and Gardener
Our Spring 2025 seed selection has just arrived, featuring some of Lane’s favorite Italian varieties—perfect for planting now and enjoying later. From storied winter tomatoes to fragrant herbs and bold greens, these seeds bring a little piece of Italy’s rich agricultural heritage straight to your garden.