Rooting Grains in Common Ground
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Local Alternative Seed Networks (LASNs) represent a grassroots movement of independent local grain networks spread throughout the UK.
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Each functions as an autonomous, self-sustaining group that operates in a fundamentally different approach to the large-scale commodity markets that define the majority of mainstream farming in the UK. Their success owes much to the opportunities offered by the artisan food sector with traditional stone mills and bakeries often providing the driving force of commitment and support needed for growers to consider these markets as viable alternatives.
Our work
We promote sustainable agriculture through enabling short, direct supply chains that work independently of the commodity markets that have done so much to undermine the principles of good farming husbandry and fair trading practice.
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"A proper community ...is a commonwealth: a place, a resource, an economy. It answers the needs, practical as well as social and spiritual, of its members - among them the need to need one another."
- Wendell Berry
Supporting growers
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Coordination of Seed Availability
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Agronomy - knowledge sharing
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Supporting new market development
Population wheat and other crops
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Promoting in-field diversity
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Building Climatic and Environmental Resilience
Plant breeding and crop trials
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Support for independent plant breeders
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On-farm trials
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Collaboration with millers and bakers
Local networks
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Regional Networks
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City Hubs
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Mill Supplier Networks
Legislation and policy
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Enabling legislative change
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Helping shape future policy​​
Designed to work in conjunction with Population crops, including wheat and oats, HeteroGen is an important tool that enables full traceability of seed, through it's complete family tree.
For millers, bakers and customers, it also provides provenance about where a crop is grown (down to the specific field) as well as information about the grower and the values they represent.​ It also supports our live field performance work, collecting valuable data about how each crop performs in terms of yield and quality.
UK Local Seed and Grain Networks