Brown Envelope Seeds (part 1)

As our time in this one location of West Cork comes to and end, I'm very glad I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from Madeline McKeever, the starter and owner of Brown Envelope Seeds. Madeline is on the cutting edge of community-based food systems in West Cork with multiple projects including a seed company and an innovative CSA.

After a trip to the US, WWOOFing in Maine, where she was able to tour the Johny's Seed seed company Madeline eventually came to the realization that there were many reasons that Ireland should produce its own fruit and vegetable seed. There was already a group promoting the idea of seed saving on individual gardener level but Brown Envelope seed would have an opportunity to reach other organic gardeners that felt they lacked the time to save seed themselves. It could also be said that providing the hobby gardeners with Irish seed could even spark an interest in saving seed themselves. Brown Envelope Seed certainly had a niche to produce seed suited for Ireland's climate. And with a focus on community-based agriculture, they also have a part in developing community members who are able to adapt given the rapid pace at which food systems are commodified and consolidated.

The time at Brown Envelope Seeds was incredibly educational. I'm proud of the knowledge I have about growing food but seed saving is a whole new realm of self sufficiency--and a vital part of local/regional food systems that is easily overlooked.



In addition to learning about how seed is produced, it was incredible to view these fantastic plants that have gone to seed. Many of the veg plants look completely different from when they are ready to eat. Leeks are 5 ft tall green poles with spherical blooms at the top. The lettuce plant looks like a silk scarf on display. The plants are stunning with pods and berries that are not even in formation when most people consider these plants useful--for food. Some plants are in the seed saving form when they are ready to eat--fruiting varieties--such as tomatoes, squash and cucumber.

Madeline's Library:

Back Garden Seed Saving: Keeping our vegetable heritage alive By Sue Stickland (UK)

Seed to Seed: Seed saving and growing techniques for vegetable gardeners By Ashworth and Whealy (US)

Shattering: Food, politics, and the loss of genetic diversity By Cary Flower and Pat Mooney

Breed Your Own Vegetable Varieties by Carol Deppe