About us
About
Exeter Seed Bank
Our aim is to share knowledge about seed saving, an ancient craft that is reviving in the face of our diminishing seed diversity. We are creating a seed bank that works for our area’s soils and in consideration of other issues such as biodiversity loss and climate change.
The seeds we aim to hold in the bank are organic, heirloom or heritage flowers and vegetables, and wildflower mixes to increase the presence of pollinators in our environment.
We programme events that follow the seed calendar and use the arts, craft and heritage to creatively engage people with the natural world and to encourage environmental stewardship.
The Team
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Mandy Biscoe
Mandy is a socially engaged artist and community gardener. She specialises in delivering creative and environmental arts projects that include all sections of the community in a shared purpose towards nature connection and its stewardship. Her aim is to embed art into everyday life. She works with clay and uses other media as projects demand.
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Johanna Korndorfer
Johanna has an eclectic background in the arts, heritage, and conservation sectors. From 2006-2013, she was the Learning Manager for the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) exhibition programmes. She has also produced several exhibitions for children and families exploring simple materials; and a pop-up exhibition with Mandy on Devon Ball Clay. She is an enthusiastic seed-saving newbie.
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Martyn Windsor
Martyn is a freelance cultural producer based in Exeter, Devon. His work through curation and collaboration often involves socially engaged arts practice. He is interested in alternative systems for survival, through food, foraging, re-purposing and in particular: the natural world. He has held positions at the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World (CCANW) and Spacex. He has a much-neglected allotment.
Seed Guardians
At Exeter Seed Bank, our Seed Guardians are more than growers, they are trusted advisors and co-creators helping to shape the future of our work.
The Seed Guardians form a core advisory group made up of experienced growers, community gardeners, and passionate seed savers in our local community. Drawing on their collective knowledge of cultivation, biodiversity, and community-led growing, they support the seed bank not only by saving seeds but also by helping us develop, guide, and evaluate our projects.
Working closely with our core team, the Seed Guardians help us:
· Identify priorities for seasonal growing and seed-saving efforts
· Co-design community projects, trials, and educational resources
· Provide feedback on what’s working well and where we can improve
· Ensure our work remains rooted in the values of biodiversity, food resilience, and local knowledge
· Act as ambassadors within their own communities, helping to build networks and connections across Exeter and beyond
Seed Guardians help ensure the work we do is by and for the community. Their insight is instrumental in helping Exeter Seed Bank evolve in meaningful, grounded, and responsive ways.