About Us

A native of Colombia and raised in Miami, Astrid’s journey of living closer to the earth, began at the ripe age of thirteen. Realizing people’s disconnection with the natural world, she became active in educating and inspiring people to live more harmonious lives. After having lived in Spain, Italy and New York City, Astrid moved to California to connect deeper with the land. In 2007 she began studying urban permaculture with Larry Santoyo and rural permaculture with Penny Livingston and Brock Doman. During this time Astrid's interest in seeds began to take root and she planted her first garden at the Santa Monica Community Garden. While tending her garden, she began to realize the yearning to deepen her connection with the earth. In 2009 she moved to Solstice Grove a community that models restorative practices in land stewardship, there she met Matthew. Within less than a year, their visions had fused and in 2011, The Living Seed Company was born.

Matthew was raised in the wilds of the great northern forest named Chequamegon, in Wisconsin. He lived close to the land and enjoyed many days in the gardens of his grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles. He also found great interest in the artistic world. Formally trained as an artist, he uses his skills to bring people closer to the natural world and also towards a more peaceful existence on the planet. Matthew is most known for his work in the global peace movement with Dr. Jane Goodall DBE, UN Messenger of Peace. The two teamed up to create the Giant Peace Dove puppet movement, which has touched hundreds of thousands of people in over 80 countries around the world.

Dedicated to planting the seeds of World Peace. The Living Seed Company preserves the diversity in our food through the distribution and growing of open pollinated seeds and educating about the life affirming art of seed saving.

The Living Seed Company has been breeding flavorful, nutritious and unique vegetables for over eleven and a half years.

Through their breeding projects, they are able to offer seeds that are inherently more adapted to our changing climate while supporting seed diversity.