We kicked off the week in Scotland, welcoming Scotland’s newest (and only!) seed company – Seeds of Scotland – started by Seed Sovereignty Programme graduates Hayley and Finlay. Particularly interested in growing varieties that thrive in the Scottish climate and therefore bring resilience, Seeds of Scotland kindly donated some seed for our start of the week giveaway – planting seeds of hope for the season to come.
“Planting seeds makes me feel hopeful and filled with anticipation for what the year will hold.”
@adventureswithlandscapes winner of Seeds of Scotland voucher
Tuesday took us to the South of England, where we met Éamonn Ó Hairtnéada, Devon based artist and grower, who is exploring craft as a medium to reconnect to the land. Éamonn uses his artistry to create beautiful seed winnowing fans, weaving traditions from the past into the present.
On Wednesday, we travelled north, and visited inner city community plant breeding project – Cultivate Kale – in the heart of Stockton-On-Tees. Nathan and the team at Cultivate Tees Valley CIC are breeding kale that thrives in their northern climate. Through acts of sharing and collaboration they are opening up the conversation of how communities can address food (and seed) sovereignty.
Thursday we hopped over to Ireland, with special highlight of the week – the premiere of the latest film in the Seed Sovereignty programme series by Andy Pilsbury: Where Giants Grow. The film follows the journey of a legendary cabbage across our isles, exploring how seeds have always accompanied people, gathering tales and traditions, intertwining with our histories. The film was a big hit, and brought with it many a request to our Irish Coordinator, Richie, for seeds for the infamous Gortahork Cabbage! Find out more here.
That evening, we also journeyed on a herbal odyssey with Seed Sistas in our fantastic live launch of Seed TV. Keep an eye on our website for ways to watch this inaugural event soon.
“Seed production is an integral part of what we do at Trill…not only for the joy it brings, the deeper connection it forms between ourselves and what we do as food producers, but producing open pollinated seed is a political act.”
@trillfarmgarden
The final day of Seed Week the spotlight was on Wales, beginning with a Wales Seed Hub giveaway and declarations of favourite vegetable varieties, from Darby striped tomatoes to the Machynlleth Mini Bean! Friday also brought the release of a new 3 part podcast about how seeds help us to adapt to changing climate – catch up with any episodes you missed here.
Huge thanks to everyone who followed us, and shared stories on social media. Through your participation you are helping to build a resilient, abundant and revolutionary seed system right here, right now. For now is a time for radical transformation into a new regenerative future.
“Seeds are not a commodity… cheap seeds, just like cheap anything, means someone or something likely hasn’t been treated as well as we’d probably be happy with. We can easily take seeds for granted, throw a packet or two into our basket, and grow them,(or not), without a thought for the work that went into growing the seed in the first place. #Seedweek, led every year by @thegaiafoundation focuses on the incredible work going on worldwide to support seed sovereignty.”
@saralimback
