Seed saving gardener helping locals reclaim food security

Charity and Community Environment Business

Walking through suburban Rotorua, one would never guess that down an unassuming driveway is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s few commercial seed saving gardens.

Established in 2022 and run singlehandedly by 31-year-old Jemma Joy Ostenfeld, The Eastern Field is on a mission to promote and support food security and seed sovereignty across the rohe.

Using ethical, sustainable and regenerative practices, Jemma grows and preserves Rotorua-specific heritage seeds, sharing the seedlings with home gardeners so locals can grow and enjoy nutritious, organic vegetables.

“Heritage seeds are those that have been passed down from generation to generation within a bio region and have been adapted to that specific location.

“This means they can withstand the environmental conditions, pests, and diseases of that area, and have the original flavours, nutrition, and colours that we love,” Jemma says.

Originally from across the ditch, Jemma's passion sparked when she started organic gardening in a little market garden in the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne.

“This piqued my interest in growing nutritious healthy food that's good for our bodies. From there, I travelled to Canada and worked with the land, tree planting, for six years.

“Ready for a change, I decided to come to New Zealand to learn from the gardening experts here and ended up at a couple seed saving places in the Hawke’s Bay.

“I was originally interested in the food production side, but I ended up really enjoying nurturing the plants until they got to the point of producing seed, and then sending those seeds out into the community. That was where the idea for The Eastern Field came from.”

Jemma says the importance of preserving heritage seeds hit home when Cyclone Gabrielle came through.

"Overnight, we lost access our biggest seed libraries in New Zealand. Having more libraries across the country means if something happens in one area, we have have security elsewhere."

A few years ago, Jemma found herself working for Rotorua growers, Lux Organics, and fell in love with the local community.

“I knew I wanted to stay and set up my own garden. The community has been incredibly welcoming and supportive and has very strong values of doing the right thing by the land and the people, which always resonated with me.”

In just under two years, The Eastern Field has flourished and is successfully supplying the home gardeners of Rotorua and the wider Bay of Plenty with a reliable source of heritage seedlings.

“I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do and have the support of places like Brown Owl and Palmers Rotorua, who not only stock my seedlings, but actively promote what The Eastern Field is about.”

Jemma's journey and the success of The Eastern Field reflects a growing trend of Kiwis reconnecting with nature and taking control of their food sources.

“It's so heartwarming to see how many people are starting gardens and are wanting to grow high quality, nutrient-dense food.

“Another part of my business is helping people set up their gardens and it has been amazing to be able to go through the journey with those people to design their gardens, how they want it with their productivity goals in mind, and then provide the seedlings for them as well.

“I think one of the big driving forces behind people wanting to produce more of their own food is the increasing cost of groceries and wanting that food security. The past few years have also seen people’s routines and priorities shift, and that’s seen more people get into the garden and take control of what they’re putting in their bodies.”

Jemma encourages anyone who has an interest in gardening to “just get out there and learn by doing”.

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, gardening can be tricky in Rotorua with the short growing season, but it’s also so rewarding. I still think I have a black thumb, but every season gets better and better.”

Learn more about The Eastern Field here.