In a quiet corner of rural Scotland, Seeds of Scotland is growing something rare—both literally and figuratively. Co-founded by Haley Shepherd in 2023, the small farm is the only seed producer in the country dedicated to increasing open-pollinated, organic vegetable seeds specifically adapted to the Scottish climate.
“We grow seeds for people to grow vegetables at home”, says Haley. “They’re a mix of Scottish varieties and other types selected from similar short-season climates. The goal is to grow varieties that will thrive here”.
The idea took root after Haley and her partner spent years learning how to grow vegetables commercially. “We realised that most seeds come from far away and aren’t adapted to Scottish conditions. There was no one producing seeds here anymore—something that used to be common”. Haley finds joy in her work. Her favourite part? Watching plants go through a full life cycle. “Seeing a leek grow for two years, flower, and produce seed again—it’s amazing. Most people never see that. It makes you appreciate the whole process”.
Now, Seeds of Scotland is not only filling that gap but doing so in a way that blends traditional knowledge with a spirit of innovation. “Saving seeds isn’t new—it’s a practice that’s thousands of years old”, Haley explains. “But doing it in Scotland is the innovation. It’s not easy here with the climate. You have to get creative just to dry the seeds properly because of all the rain”.
To combat the damp conditions, the farm has added extra drying stages and is building a custom seed drying machine based on a design from the United States. “We adapted it for our needs and had someone build it here”, she says. “And we plan to share it with other small growers. It’s part of creating a more resilient network”.
That network is already taking shape. Seeds of Scotland works with other small farms across the country to grow seed crops, helping to decentralise production and support Scotland’s food sovereignty. “A farm might grow one seed crop alongside their vegetables, and we all contribute to a more resilient seed system”, Haley notes.
But running such a business isn’t without its hurdles, especially for women in farming. “It’s a male-dominated industry”, Haley says. “It can be intimidating, and I don’t always feel confident calling myself an entrepreneur or innovator, even though I suppose I am”. Beyond gender dynamics, there are more structural issues. “Access to land is complicated, and we’ve received no government funding”, she explains. “We’ve only been able to start thanks to the support of our landowner and some private charities. Without them, we couldn’t have done this”.
One dream that Haley believes could transform businesses like hers is a basic income for farmers. “It would give us stability and the ability to reinvest in the business. Weather is increasingly unpredictable, and that kind of safety net would let us build something sustainable that could outlast us”.
Community engagement is also a central part of their mission. Seeds of Scotland recently took part in an exhibition at the V&A, and they’re working with Trellis Scotland to provide discounted seeds to community gardens. “Helping community gardens grow more, and more climate-adapted vegetables is a big goal”, she says. Haley and Seeds of Scotland are demonstrating that meaningful change can begin with a single seed, especially when it’s planted close to home.