Environmentalist grows passion into Ann Arbor Seed Co.

Eric Kampe has a couple of passions and two are taking priority in his life right now. The Ann Arbor resident is an environmentalist and seed-saving enthusiast. Seed savers will save and collect seeds for farming. The idea is to keep local ecosystems fresh and diverse through using local, organic and native seeds. That hobby got Kampe started on creating his own business, Ann Arbor Seed Co. "I am very passionate about growing food in a healthy and organic way," Kampe says. "I am also passionate about seed saving." Ann Arbor Seed Co. sells 10 varieties of fruits and vegetables, such as an heirloom tomato called Cherokee Purple and a sunflower called Tigers Eye. The 1-year-old business sells its seeds at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market, Growing Hope in Ypsilanti and The Garden Mill in Chelsea. It recently sold out of its line of spinach seeds. Kampe splits his time between the two full-time jobs of running Ann Arbor Seed Co. and driving a delivery truck. He hopes to make Ann Arbor Seed Co his only job by tripling or even quadrupling his product portfolio this year. It would allow him to follow his passion in agriculture and keep working his hands. "It's a rewarding lifestyle," Kampe says. Source: Eric Kampe, owner of Ann Arbor Seed Co Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.