Exeter Seed Bank has initiated a project to develop the ‘Exeter Broad Bean’ which will be adapted to our soils and more resilient to the effects of our changing climate. Holders of over 30 allotments around Exeter have come forward to participate in the project. 

They are growing a mix of broad bean varieties which will open-pollinate, and the seeds they bear will be more genetically diverse and resistant to disease and pests. The initial crop is known as a ‘flock’ and over the next several growing years we hope these beans will mix and mix again with each year to become a ‘landrace’ - a new variety of bean.

We have commissioned maker and seamster, Oliver Rackham, to make bespoke bags for our cardboard kiosk and exhibition boards. This will make transporting them much easier and enable us to use them at more events. Materials for the bags have been entirely sourced at Exeter Scrapstore

It’s been a busy spring and summer for Exeter Seed Bank, with projects and plans flying off in every direction.

We have twinned with the Palestine Local Seed Bank which is preserving the heritage of Palestinian seed and supporting farmers in the West Bank with seed. We come together in solidarity for their right to save seed and grow food.

We have regular communication online with our friends at the Palestine Local Seed Bank to develop ways of working together. As the situation in West Bank deteriorates, we are deeply concerned for their safety and the continuation of their vital work.

In Exeter, we have held workshops with our local multi-generational Palestinian community and friends. We’ve come together to make clay pots, talk, tell stories, and share food. Some people call this way of working ‘craftivism’.

Clay Pots

The pots we have made in the workshops come with herb seeds which are popular in Palestine. They are available for a suggested donation of £3.

All proceeds will go to the Palestine Local Seed Bank.

You can also make a pot for someone in the future to replace the one you take.

This project has been made possible through support of the Landworkers’ Alliance.

An ongoing participatory community project and pop-up exhibition animating the importance of plants in people’s lives and the connections we have to them in the 21st century.

We were pleased to be one of the first groups supported by Exeter Northcott’s Get Creative programme. Through this funding, and with the help of 12 friends of the Exeter Seed Bank, we commissioned Exeter-based designer Herman Castaneda to design a cardboard portable kiosk, which we can take to our public engagement events.