The contrast was striking: on one side, a buzzing, layered landscape full of life – native shrubs, fruit trees, and a green belt along the fence-line that served as habitat for insects and wildlife. “It’s good for everybody,” József said of this vibrant border, which nurtured a favorable microclimate and provided protection from wind erosion and pesticides.
His land felt like an island of biodiversity in a sea of monoculture. And while these two approaches seemed to clash at the fence, József noted that, ultimately, he and his neighbor face the same challenges.
“We are speaking with each other. Everybody is hit badly by climate change, just like me, as a small farmer. So, we have common problems because we are working on the same issue with different tools, but with the same goal, or similar goal, with the goal of production.”
József Hegyesi, Farmer and Seed Keeper, Member of Magház Seed Association
József Hegyesi's openness and curiosity to explore new approaches were truly inspiring to us. Unafraid to dream big, he is deeply committed to fostering systemic change within his community. As a member of the Magház Seed Association and an experienced seed keeper, he participates in educational projects on seed stewardship and collaborates with the national gene bank (NBGK). Building on years of collaboration between Magház and Hungary's national gene bank to create a network for on-farm variety testing, Magház is determined to further strengthen the relationships between the gene bank and community-driven seed-saving efforts. We are curious to hear more about Magház’s work in collaboration with members such as József Hegyesi on approaches that feel like an encouraging step in the reconciliation of the so-called formal and informal seed sector.
In the meantime hear all about József Hegyesi’s philosophy and life on his farm in our first episode of SEED CARRIERS .