Seedy Sunday celebrates the essence of community, sustainability and the joy of growing your own food. Recently I had the pleasure of attending and it was a morning filled with learning, sharing and inspiration.
The day started with an exciting exchange of seeds, where attendees brought a wide variety of flowers, vegetables, and salads. There were also plants and four varieties of seed potatoes for sale from organisers of Seedy Sunday, Earthed Up!
We were fortunate to hear from three passionate speakers,
They each gave their perspective on food sovereignty and emphasised the importance of saving seeds to ensure genetic diversity and preserve those seeds that grow successfully in the local area and agreed that being able to grow your own food from your own seed ensures you have control over your own food sources rather than being dependent on supermarkets.
They stressed that growing in a community fosters connections, helps wellbeing and improves our access to healthy food. Saving seed and growing your own food makes sense for a sustainable future.
There were also some interesting facts supplied.
Did you know that 80% of seed sold in the UK is grown in China? So, by saving seeds locally, we reduce our carbon footprint.
It was also surprising to hear that 50% of meals served in the UK are catered for, e.g in hospitals, schools, restaurants and takeaways.
On a positive note, Heage Windmill mills organic wheat grown in the UK and is open every weekend.
Participants shared personal stories of seed saving including growing vegetables today that had been grown by their great grandparents and subsequent generations as a result of seed saving. These heirloom vegetables were not only described as resilient, but also delicious, connecting us to their past.
We finished the day with delicious homemade soup with veg supplied by local growers Pingle Produce and by discussing in small groups our plans for the coming year.
Transition Crich plans to experiment with heritage seeds, distributing 12 varieties of seed from Garden Organic's Heritage Seed Library amongst member and reporting back to Garden Organic on how they grow, how we have used them and what they taste like. Here's to a good year of seed saving and growing in our community!
This seed swap was more than just a gathering; it was a reminder of the power of community and the importance of preserving our agricultural heritage. By saving seeds, we contribute to a sustainable future, ensuring that our local food systems remain diverse and resilient.
Transition Crich started a seed bank in 2023, which we bring to each Share & Repair Café, so come along to our next event on Saturday 8 March to chat to me about all things gardening and collect or exchange some seeds to grow and find out how to start saving your own seeds.
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