What does the word system mean here?

Context:

Diane Ott-Whealy started her seed bank to save her grandparents' prized seeds, but more than 13,000 varieties later it has taken on a life of its own.

Why did you start a seed exchange?
My Grandpa Ott's parents emigrated to the US and took their best seeds with them. By the end of my grandpa's life, unless there was some system in place, those seeds would have been lost. I was not a trained botanist, but I knew to respect the seeds, stories, recipes and memories. I knew that lost genetic diversity could never be replaced. That's how the idea for Seed Savers started. I began it nearly 40 years ago with two seeds handed down to me from my grandparents.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229680.100-seed-saviour-im-preserving-our-edible-heirlooms.html#.U3Fq74GSxYA