Lauren English's Contact Details

Lauren English's Company Details

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange

Louisa, VA, US • 20 - 49 Employees
Agriculture

Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a worker-owner seed cooperative. We are dedicated to preserving and passing on the wisdom of the past for future generations of gardeners. Our seeds are non-GMO, almost all open-pollinated, either Organic, or if the grower is very small, we personally ensured that they are sustainably grown. Over 60% of our varieties are grown on small farms we directly contract with - in the US. To expand small growers opportunities we tend to buy on 2.5 year contracts. We take more risk so that they can sell a larger harvest and be more successful.Internally, worker-owners have a voice in the decisions of the company and worker-owners receive equal compensation regardless of the economic value traditionally placed on the jobs done. We offer 800+ varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, grain and cover crop seeds with an emphasis on organic seeds, unusual Southern heirlooms, and seeds grown by small farmers. Our work cultivating a small grower network means we offer variety after variety that can't found anywhere else. Our work has brought many amazing and unique open-pollinated varieties to the larger marketplace, including the Cherokee Purple tomato, the Tina James Magic Evening Primrose, Carolina Wonder bell pepper, and many more.We strive to promote organic gardening, sustainable agriculture, and everyone's right to save seed. The selection of seeds we offer is chosen with these values in mind. We also promote these values through projects and initiatives like the Organic Seed Alliance, Grassroots Seed Network, Virginia Association for Biological Farming, and Seed Savers Exchange.We offer seed packets for gardeners and a 100% organic seed rack program for retailers.