In our previous post – Why what we do IS political – we discussed how being able to grow your own food, collectively or individually, is an important step to reducing your dependence on an increasingly dysfunctional system. What would give you more independence is being in control of your seed supply rather than relying on what’s on offer at the garden centre. Obviously, there is a bit of learning curve involved.

To help you get started, below are a few resources that we hope you’ll find useful and inspiring. If you can suggest any more, feel free to contact us and we’ll add them to this list. If this takes off, this post may well become a resource page on this blog.

Tips for Starting a Successful Community Seed Bank – Catherine Winter | Morning Chores
“We live in a time when food security isn’t a guaranteed thing, and people around the world are taking serious steps to grow their own food and medicine. As you can imagine, one of the most important aspects of this kind of self-sufficiency is high-quality seeds. Considering how expensive heirloom and organic seeds can be, one of the best ways to expand one’s garden is to save and share seeds. Plus, you’re promoting local plant diversity!”

SUSSEX COMMUNITY SEED BANK
” We believe that it is every human being’s right to be able to save their own seed, as our ancestors have done for thousands of years. This right can only be achieved through the use of open- pollinated varieties which breed true to type year after year, as nature has always done. The more commonly used F1 Hybrids do not breed true to type year after year because the seed companies retain the two parents that have produced the F1 Hybrid and consequently we cannot save that seed but have to purchase new seed every year from the seed companies. We believe to achieve local sustainable food security we need local sustainable seed security which can only be achieved through the use of open pollinated varieties.”

The Stroud Community Seed Bank
“Farmers and gardeners have saved and shared their own seeds for thousands of years, but with the rise of global agribusiness, F1 hybrids and GM seed, many delicious heirloom and locally adapted varieties are being lost, and genetic diversity is being eroded. By growing our own seed we can help to turn the tide and make our own communities more resilient. Seed growing can be great fun and deeply satisfying – and anyone can do it.”