Rebel Seeds
![Eco-Agriculture/Permaculture: Encompasses small-scale city farm to full-size rural farms that are organic, biodynamic or using other sustainable methods. May indicate organizations linking urban communities and nearby farmers though community-supported agriculture (known as CSAs or box schemes), 4H demonstration farms, agriculture schools or food security resources and networks. Eco-Agriculture/Permaculture](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_2.gif)
![Environmental Education: Site, center or gathering place (indoors or outdoors) where informal or formal education on environmental topics takes place. Environmental Education](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/environmental_education.gif)
![Healthy Dining: Wholesome, healthful, fresh foods, made with local and/or organic ingredients. May serve only vegetarian or vegan foods (no animal products whatsoever). Meat and dairy products are raised to minimize environmental and health impacts without additives, genetic modifications or factory farm practices. Endangered fish are not served. "Slow Food" sites can be included, as can traditional or special local cuisines. Healthy Dining](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_1.gif)
![Organic/Local Food: Food grown close to where it is consumed, reducing shipping impacts and increasing freshness. Organic food is grown without pesticides (biocides), genetic modification or synthetic fertilizers. Minimally processed, with no chemicals or waxes added after harvesting. May include fair trade or direct trade practices. Organic/Local Food](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/taxonomy_image/category_pictures_3.gif)
Overview
Did you know that Heirloom seeds are older varieties which have adapted to their particular conditions and stayed true to type? Éidín Griffin has been saving seeds, spreading creative ideas and inspiring gardeners for many years and is really passionate about growing good food. Ancestral seed saving was a necessity on farms in ‘the old days’ and only recently have these seeds become available to the public. Some have been grown on the same farm for over 150 years, developing resistance to specific insects and coping well with weather conditions.
Before relocating to KZN, Éidín built her own off grid house in the Free State, using materials from the site – gum poles, earth and stone, generated her own energy and fed herself and many friends. “Actually being far away from a town, without transport certainly focuses one’s attention on being truly self-sufficient!” she laughs. “My family thought I was crazy, and occasionally I thought so too.”
In the past few years, she has created flourishing food gardens in difficult conditions from scratch – in township schools and rural farms – all with style and joy. “Some of our gardens have 24 varieties of herbs now and many schools are starting to save their own seeds,” she says proudly. “Growing food is all about taking care of your soil – a good balance of micro-organisms in the soil keeps it alive. It is important to feed it with well-made compost (which is such a lot of fun to make!) and keep everything mulched.” Éidín is definitely happiest surrounded by kids, up to her armpits in horse manure or feasting on freshly harvested food.
“Our food, health and happiness is being manipulated by multi-nationals. I would like to encourage fun loving and life orientated people to grow food, save seed and secure their own food supply. ”How can you resist? To inspire others to follow this path, she recently produced a gorgeously illustrated guide entitled ‘How to become a Seed Superhero – save seeds, yourself and possibly the planet’ filled with useful tips on how to start on your own collection of treasures (http://verdantlifekzn.com/go-green/farm-food-and-health/eidin-griffins-s...). She sells this along with locally grown Rebel Seeds at the Dargle Local Market on the first Sunday of every month held at the Lions River Club and at Piggly Wiggly Nursery, KZN Midlands.
Location:
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Connections
- Pietermaritzburg
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- Pietermaritzburg
- Dargle
- Curry'S Post
- Merrivale
- Howick
- Mpophomeni
- Dargle
- Boston
- New YorkUnited States
- Colombia
- New YorkUnited States
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- IthacaUnited States
- South Africa
- GlasgowUnited Kingdom
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- Lebanon
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- NättrabySweden
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- South Africa
- London
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- Rockaway QueensUnited States
- KyrkhultSweden
Multimedia
![](https://www.opengreenmap.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/320max/user_upload/eidin-and-pam-get-excited-about-saving-seed-res.jpg)
Rebel Seeds
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