During 15 years of working on community food projects, Catherine Howell noticed something. As well as the biodiversity benefits of saving and sharing seeds, there seemed to be a positive impact on the growers themselves.
To test her hypothesis, Howell set up a pilot project as part of the Gaia Foundation’s Seed Sovereignty programme, which she helps to coordinate. Fifteen people who were experiencing challenges with their mental wellbeing took part, meeting fortnightly throughout 2024 in three groups across Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Hinderwell. Participants produced a crop of their choice and harvested the seed.
