Madeline McKeever is on a mission to protect biodiversity and secure our food future—one seed at a time. A former dairy farmer in West Cork, Madeline started Brown Envelope Seeds after realising just how vulnerable Ireland is to global seed supply chains and shocks.
Today, she’s a leading voice for seed saving in Ireland promoting local seeds that grow well in Irish conditions. Her work helps growers of all kinds—from back gardens to small farms—understand how saving seeds is not only possible but also vital.
In this episode of Food Matters, Madeline talks to Mick Kelly of GIY about the beginnings of her seed company, how to start saving your own seeds, and why greater seed diversity could be key to a more secure, flavourful, and sustainable food system.