Semillas de Estrella works to acquire seed donations from North American, European, and other seed companies to increase the amount of healthy, organic, open-pollenated heirloom seed varieties within Ecuador. The donated seeds are distributed throughout the Seed Guardian network to small scale and indigenous farmers. These seeds then enter in to the network’s seeds saving/seed sharing practices allowing for the development of new market varieties. Semillas de Estrella initiates discussions with restaurants around the major metropolitan areas of Ecuador to understand what crops are not available to chefs and customers and provides them or creates a logistical connection to bring the crop to market. Part of this Seed Exchange Initiative has been to bring over North American based seed organizations to tour the network and experience some of the 3,000 unique crop varieties currently within Ecuador.

Due to the Covid-19 situation and the direct impact of travel around the world we have postponed all visitations until the situation has stabilized.