Chantelle and Mark’s Story

After experiencing the impacts of floods and fires, Mark Pryor and members of his community in the Macleay Valley were concerned about food security in the long-term. “With a lack of food on the shelves, we started looking at what food security and food diversity really means.” What emerged from these initial conversations was the Macleay Valley Seed Savers (MVSS). MVSS is a group committed to building climate resilience by growing and saving their own vegetables and seeds, and developing them to adapt to a more vulnerable environment.

Since connecting with OzGREEN and running community workshops, MVSS has grown from a gathering of 50 online to over 300 people sharing knowledge (and seeds!). “Being connected to OzGREEN has helped us look at the broader community and become more autonomous”, Mark states.  “Their advice has moved us from just an idea which we weren't sure how to proceed with, to putting together a really cohesive group with longevity”.

Central to MVSS’s success has been improving connectivity in all manner of ways, beginning with community. As Chantelle Perry articulates, who joined early on, “working with OzGREEN has helped me understand the importance of supporting each other and using our unique skill sets to build a stronger community”. For Mark, connectivity is important in the plant world too. “Food security has a lot to do with diversity; it’s about finding the most appropriate plants to the area and supporting their growth”.

As a group that’s grown quickly and already had a big impact, MVSS is keen to further expand. “There's now a strong feeling of network amongst other groups as well… it’s really good to be able to pass skills on”, Mark reflects. Chantelle sees working with young people as vital. “I am really invested in schools. There's a generation missing information, a big gap. I like the idea of bringing seed saving into their programs”.

Throughout its evolution, MVSS seems to have stayed connected to some simple core values and focuses. “Working with OzGREEN has showed me that we’re all people and we all want the same thing”, Chantelle comments. “Even hearing the tiniest tips like crossbreeding pumpkins… you see people absorbing that and going home and actually doing it! It gives me hope”.