In February 2023 The Gaia Foundation's Seed Sovereignty Programme held their second Seed Gathering, which brought together our networks across the UK and Ireland to connect, share and learn from each other.
(re)Connecting the seeds we work with to our culture, our art, our communities is a vital part of our role. In this spirit, we invited Liv Torc of the Hot Poets to attend the Gathering, soak in the spirit of the event, and weave us a poem out of it. This is the beautiful, moving result.
There is so much in these words, so many stories, so much hard work, passion and dedication. Join us in exploring some of them now.
We've watched the world sow itself into four monoculture corners...
Four petrochemical companies now control over 60% of the world's seed. Seed that has co-evolved with us. Seed that has been painstakingly cared for, grown, and saved by generation after generation; safeguarded by communities; and travelled around the world as people have. Seeds - the very heart of our food system and something we all depend on for life, is a commodity on the markets, the genetic material 'owned', intellectual property of multinational corporations. Something has gone wrong.
Giant Gortahork cabbages, peacevine tomatoes...
While we've lost 75% of our plant genetic diversity since 1900 (FAO), individuals and communities are fighting hard to preserve the seeds and stories of our ancestors. The Gortahork cabbage, originally from Scotland, has been stewarded by three generations of the Sweeney family in Gortahork, Donegal, and is making a comeback. The Peacevine tomato, grown by Tilly Gomersall for the Wales Seed Hub, is another fine example. As well as being sweet and delicious, these heritage cherry tomatoes contain a high level of Vitamin C. They are named ‘Peacevine’ on account of containing high levels of an amino acid which is associated with relieving anxiety. The stories, journeys, and legacy of these seeds matter.
The Wales Seed Hub produces seed grown on Welsh farms using agroecological practices. Our seed is open pollinated and carefully selected. They are a cooperative of growers, working together to market, pack and distribute our seed, and have all been through the Seed Sovereignty Programme's year-long Seed Production training. They are a great example of empowered growers organising to provide a more diverse and resilient seed future.
Sitting down to celebrate with thick slices of black oat apple tart...
Last autumn, a merry group of unusual comrades - farmers, bakers, an engineer, researchers and a tenacious coordinator - sat down in a Welsh barn to break very special bread. This bread (and dumplings, Welsh cakes, oat cakes, and apple tart) was made with Ceirch Du, a rare black oat that the group had been working with to bulk out, process, and finally develop into recipes steeped in tradition and memories. This small celebration was a huge milestone in a story that is being echoed around the world, of growers and communities rediscovering and reclaiming the seeds of their ancestors.
Changing cities into gardens...
This short film from The Gaia Foundation, A Quiet Revolution, profiles London’s urban seed and food growers who are members of the London Freedom Seed Bank, a network of more than 72 growers caring for over 120 seed varieties, many of which are rapidly adapting to London's unique growing conditions.
We sail between GMO control and climate devastation...
GMOs and gene-edited crops are a near and present threat to our seed sovereignty. With legislation changing rapidly, it has never been more important to ensure we are informed and involved in the discussion.