Andrea Tursini, High Mowing Organic Seeds
Wolcott, Vermont
A relative newcomer in the seed industry, High Mowing Organic Seeds is known for being 100 percent organic. In fact, a passion for organic seeds prompted Tom Stearns to start the business in 1996 with just 28 varieties, many of which he harvested from his own back yard. The company didn’t remain small for long; in 2013, Stearns brought in Tom Furber to manage and grow the business and update the facilities and operational systems. Together, “the Toms” shaped a company that stays tethered to its mission: creating a food system where the wellbeing of the environment and people are a priority. Both Stearns and Furbur remain on the company’s board, where they offer continuing guidance as the business expands. The High Mowing Organic Seeds catalog now offers more than 700 varieties of seed. Their customer base is about half home gardeners, the other half commercial growers with less than 50 acres.
Andrea Tursini took over as CEO in 2022. Prior to taking the helm she served as Chief Marketing Officer, and was also involved in researching varieties that would fill out an already robust product line. “Showing up matters,” Tursini declares. “Relationships matter. We meet regularly with seed breeders and wholesalers to talk about how to obtain the best varieties for organic growers.” If a seed fills an important slot in High Mowing Seed’s offerings, they’ll request a sample. “If it’s not available as an organically grown seed,” she adds, “we’ll talk about licensing it for organic production.” More than 800 varieties were evaluated in 2024 on the company’s organic trials farm in Hyde Park, VT. And next year, the catalog will add an additional 63 varieties, reports Tursini.
“The thing that gets me, “ says Tursini, “is the human impact of chemicals used in farming.” She points out that seed production is a long process—while lettuce might be harvested 45 days after planting, producing lettuce seed takes much longer. This means more pest and disease pressure. The people who work on farms bear the risks that come with using chemicals to keep pests and diseases under control. Having come from a farming background and spent years growing and preserving her family’s food, Tursini takes these concerns personally. “If growing organically is important,” she urges, “don’t compromise on the seed.”
Located in a very rural corner of Vermont, High Mowing Organic Seed relies on the local population to staff the facility and the trial gardens. Currently, the work force numbers 50 to 60, most of whom they keep on year round. “We do as much as we can in winter,” explains Tursini, “and bring in seasonal workers for seed packaging.” An on-site lab for testing and quality control, labor-saving seed sorting equipment, and a humidity-controlled seed storage facility makes for an efficient operation.
“One of the satisfactions of being a parent,” says Andrea, “is watching my two sons grow into their personalities. What do they care about? What are they curious about?” She sees a parallel to that in nurturing employees. “An important part of my job is helping employees find and grow into what excites them.” In striving for a good work/life balance, Andrea has found that her attitude about gardening and farming has has shifted over the years. “Gardening, now, is less about producing food for the family, and more about joy.” The Covid pandemic, she relects, inspired many more people to discover the joy and hope that comes from creating a garden, and many of them have integrated gardening into their lives. “To be a part of that is a real honor.”