New to Seward Co-op in spring 2021 is North Circle Seeds. You can find their organic, open pollinated seeds in the produce aisles, alongside seeds from High Mowing and Seed Savers.
North Circle Seeds, located in Vergas, Minn., is committed to creating an ecologically diverse, equitable, and inclusive food system. They are a Seward Co-op Community Foods producer – local, small-scale and use sustainable practices. North Circle has an intentional relationship with their seeds and their Midwestern growers’ circle, who produce regionally adapted seed using chemical-free, sustainable, and organic practices. The seeds are bred for this region and feature varieties such as King of the North tomatoes, curly kale, Asian greens, and more.
Inclusivity and Equity is a Priority
North Circle Seeds collaborates with communities and individuals who are reclaiming their cultural foods and seeds in Minnesota and the greater Midwest. This includes increasing access to culturally-specific foods and seeds. Their Maiz Azul (blue corn) project is in collaboration with Seward Co-op Community Foods producer Sin Fronteras Farm and Food in Stockholm, Wis. Blue corn seed from Oaxaca, Mexico is adapted to our Northern climate, preserving the flavor and texture to allow Sin Fronteras to produce authentic tortillas with full flavor.
To North Circle Seeds, seeds are life and symbolize relationships, trust and patience. According to Zachary Paige, proprietor of North Circle Farm, the true intention of North Circle Seeds is to spread that message. “Seed is not an iPhone, it is not a technology, it is a biology that we have a relationship with.”
