The practice of swapping and saving seed links to several of the 13 principles of Agroecology. Whether you’re a hobby gardener, someone who grows their own veg or a commercial grower, seeds are a precious resource.

Barleybird has designed a short course in Agroecology specifically for those who are not commercial farmers or growers, but who are connected to food and farming through their work or vocation, or where they live.

Throughout the summer of 2024, Barleybird worked in partnership with farmer Richard Wrinch and the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape team to welcome community groups to the farm.

It’s been an exciting few months for Barleybird. Our fledgling organisation has begun working with a range of different people in the local community including farmers, teachers, and school children in collaboration with practitioners in food, farming, art and nature.

It was a cold, windy day in Suffolk, but the turn out at our very first Barleybird event back in March saw an encouraging turnout of more than 70 people. They arrived with leftover bought seed, their own saved seed, or nothing at all, but everyone was welcome to take seeds home.