We are Seed Social.
A North East social enterprise nurturing community seed saving and seed resilience in a changing climate.
We make locally saved and heritage seeds available and accessible. We share resources and know-how with community spaces to grow and save seeds together. We are ambitious about what’s possible for seed saving and sharing in our region.
We are growing a new community of seed savers - we’d love you to join us!
Mike Cruddace
Founder and Horticulture Lead
Mike is our founder who leads on all horticultural aspects of Seed Social’s work. He holds Degrees in Graphic Arts and Mechanical Engineering and has extensive project management experience. Now a qualified and knowledgable Horticulturalist, Mike has a keen interest in growing fruit and veg, heritage varieties and sustainable practises. As Operations and Horticulture Lead with Luke Arend Garden Design, he is developing a broad portfolio of skills including garden design, planting plans and technical drawings. Mike is deepening his seed resilience expertise through learning with Seed Sovereignty and is a Seed Guardian with Heritage Seed Library.
Laura Lowther
Development Lead
Laura looks after all aspects of project management, communications and funding for Seed Social. She has almost 20 years experience in the charity sector, focusing on people and projects. Recent roles have included Head of Volunteering at St Oswald’s Hospice and Vision for Volunteering Lead at National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). With a Foundation Degree in Leadership and Management, she is a values-driven and adaptable generalist. She is currently Inclusion Development Manager at Action Foundation and a Trustee with Newcastle Foodbank. Improving her horticultural knowledge all the time, Laura loves growing and gardening for wildlife and wellbeing.