High Mowing Seeds

The High Mowing Story

At High Mowing Organic Seeds we know the environmental importance of growing organic seeds and food, but we also we know we have a responsibility to positively impact the communities around us. We recognize the importance of contributing to our own community here in northern Vermont and far beyond. In 2011 alone, we donated over 100,000 seed packets through our Seed Donation Program! We strongly believe that seeds are an excellent resource which can be used to teach and empower people about food security. Through our donation program, we support organizations that provide farm and nutrition education with programs such as community gardens, school gardens, church gardens, food bank gardens, summer camps, and disaster relief groups.

High Mowing Organic Seeds began in 1996 with just 28 varieties. After tilling up a portion of his backyard and turning his shed into a seed packing area, founder Tom Stearns had no trouble selling the seed he grew that first year. Suddenly, what had started as a hobby became a practical business pursuit, as Tom realized the growing and unmet demand for organic seed. This demand allowed Tom to expand the business beyond his backyard, renting parcels of land to produce the seed he was selling through a hand-made catalog. By 2001, business had grown to such an extent that Tom began to contract with other local farms to grow seed, in addition to continuing to produce seed himself on High Mowing's own 5 acres.

High Mowing Organic Seeds has grown exponentially, and what started as a one-man operation is now a thriving business making available to home gardeners and commercial growers over 600 heirloom, open-pollinated and hybrid varieties of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seed. True to our roots, High Mowing Organic Seeds continues to grow many of the varieties we sell on our 40 acre farm, setting us apart from the majority of other seed companies.

As we've grown, we have continually worked to produce, develop and sell only the best quality organic seeds for varieties selected for their exceptional performance in organic conditions. We have expanded the selection and availability of organic seeds, we've reached out to other farmers, locally and across the country, to produce seed for us, and we've established partnerships with wholesale seed companies that have made commitments to develop and produce organic seed. In our own operation, we’ve implemented the highest quality standards for seed testing and invested our on-site lab and Quality Control department, we have purchased state-of-the art seed cleaning and sorting equipment, we have built a knowledgeable customer service team – many of whom are or were farmers – to answer customer questions, and we have created a trials and breeding program to assess and develop varieties that thrive in organic conditions.

At High Mowing Organic Seeds, we believe in re-imagining what our world can be like. We believe in a deeper understanding of how re-built food systems can support health on all levels – healthy environments, healthy economies, healthy communities and healthy bodies. We believe in a hopeful and inspired view of the future based on better stewardship for our planet. Everyday that we are in business, we are growing; working to provide an essential component in the re-building of our healthy food systems: the seeds.

High Mowing’s Safe Seed Pledge

The Safe Seed Pledge was created in 1999 by High Mowing Organic Seeds, guiding a coalition of 9 other seed companies as a statement about the signers' stance on genetic engineering as well as a resource for consumers wishing to find sources of GE-free seeds. Over 70 companies have signed the pledge, ranging from large seed companies to family-owned businesses such as ours.

In signing the Safe Seed Pledge we affirm our commitment to non-GMO (genetically modified organism) seed. We feel that the regulatory framework for the introduction of genetically modified crop varieties is flawed, and that GMO seeds themselves present a threat to plants' genetic diversity through their ability to pollinate non-GMO plants.

The Safe Seed Pledge

"Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms poses great biological risks, as well as economic, political and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to further assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds. Further, we wish to support agricultural progress that leads to healthier soils, genetically diverse agricultural ecosystems and ultimately healthy people and communities."