Ep 3. Doomsday Seed Banker

In Dirty Jobs season 7 episode 3, titled "Doomsday Seed Banker," host Mike Rowe travels to Svalbard, Norway to explore the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also known as the "Doomsday Seed Bank." The facility is designed to protect the world's most important crop seeds from being lost due to natural disasters, war, or other catastrophic events.

Rowe begins his journey by landing in the Arctic Circle, where the seed vault is located. He learns that the facility is operated by the Norwegian government, but that seed samples from all over the world are stored there. Rowe is welcomed by the seed bank's manager, who provides him with a tour of the facility.

As they travel through the vault's corridors, Rowe explains the importance of the seed bank, as well as the challenges of maintaining it in such a remote location. He learns about the different types of seeds stored in the vault, including wheat, rice, and corn, and how the process of collecting and storing the seeds takes place.

Rowe also meets some of the people responsible for collecting and sending samples to the seed bank. He talks to a farmer from Iowa who has been collecting seed samples for over 25 years and sends them to Svalbard every year. He also meets a scientist in the Philippines who is collecting and storing seeds from the country's rapidly disappearing forests.

Throughout the episode, Rowe highlights the importance of seed diversity and the dangers of losing certain crops due to disease, climate change, or other factors. He also emphasizes the hard work and dedication required to maintain the facility and preserve the world's crop diversity.

As the episode comes to a close, Rowe reflects on his experience at the seed vault and the global impact of its work. He expresses his gratitude for the individuals who are working to preserve our planet's food supply and encourages viewers to appreciate the importance of even the dirtiest jobs.