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 and 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 allotments, 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.
Coming up to 20 years of experience in the charity sector in local, regional and national roles. She is currently CEO of Twinkleboost - a small charity providing speech, language and communication support through play for parents and young children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.
Other sector roles have included Inclusion Lead at Action Foundation. Vision for Volunteering Lead at NCVO and Head of Volunteering at St Oswald’s Hospice.
Laura is throwing herself into building her horticultural knowledge and experience, with an interest in social and therapeutic horticulture and developing wildlife-friendly spaces.