In Ireland growers have had several wake-up calls in the last few years, first Covid and then Brexit have shown up the fragility of our seed systems. They are responding by taking ownership of the solutions and learning how to save seed, build networks, and organise. The Seed Sovereignty Programme for UK and Ireland is looking to facilitate this in every way we can.
Email: richie@gaianet.org
Twitter: @irelandseedsov
Instagram @irelandseedsov
We are currently looking for expressions of interest for our 2025 year long course in seed production. See our training page for more information and get in touch via the email above.
Events are also advertised via our social media channels listed above, where we also share other regional opportunities. If you’d like us to spread the word about your own seed event please drop us a line by email.
If you are interested in doing an introductory course please get in touch and when we have enough interest we will put one on. These are usually a one day in person course and prepares people for our year long course.
Over the last three years we have been engaging with cereal growers, bakers, millers, maltsters, and brewers with a view to animating an alternative non commodity grain economy.
In October 2022 we launched “Grain Social” in conjunction with various partners in Cloughjordan and brought together a wide spectrum of interested parties for food, talks and the building of those relationships that are so fundamental to short supply chains. We are hoping to do something similar this year in a different venue so keep a lookout for developments.
In November 2023 we ran our second “Grain Social” in Celbridge Co Kildare which proved to be bigger and better than last years. We are hoping to run a couple of smaller events in 2024 for growers and bakers, have a look at our new website for further details and follow Irish Grain Network on Instagram
Irish Seed Savers Association: We are very lucky in Ireland to have the Irish Seed Savers Association in Co Clare who have been big advocates for seed here for the last 30 years.
So many growers have learnt to save seeds thanks to their trainings. That coupled with the huge collection of varieties they have now have in their seed bank make this a very important resource for the island and beyond.
Brown Envelope Seeds: Based in West Cork, Brown Envelope Seeds are the Republic’s only commercial seed company growing all their varieties in Ireland. With 20 years’ experience and a profile both here and abroad they are a huge asset to the seed and gardening community in Ireland.
True Harvest Seeds: In Co Down, True Harvest Seeds have a dedicated ex- situ seed bank for wildflowers shrubs and trees which they collect and grow themselves. They also have an organic vegetable seed catalogue with some of their own seed available in it.
We have been working the last twelve months with a number of new and emerging seed companies check them out below
Seeds Ireland “are passionate about providing high quality, organic, open-pollinated, non-GMO seed to all our customers”.
Sow Diverse “exists because we care about biodiversity and food sovereignty”
Seeds and Stuff “trialling and collecting (mostly food) plants which grow well in Irish conditions or might be otherwise interesting”
Wolf Seeds “A new seed company started by alumni of our Year-Long Training Programme, based in West Cork”.
