Seed savers garden planner full#

Often, the seeds have immigrated with people,” Scheffert said. 'There really aren't that many food crops indigenous to the United States. The organization's seed historians document those family stories, digging deep to learn as much as they can about the origin of the seeds. They formed a network of gardeners who preserved heirloom varieties of seeds and shared them.įamilies have always saved seeds, then planted the same varieties year after year. 'As a non-profit, Seed Savers Exchange aims to conserve and promote America's culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing and sharing heirloom seeds and plants.”ĭiane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy founded Seed Savers Exchange in Missouri in 1975 before the non-profit moved to rural Decorah. Scheffert's personal mission aligns with the mission of Seeds Savers:

'It's exciting to see how important it is for them to be here,” Scheffert said. The seed bank collection of more than 20,000 open-pollinated varieties is on the bucket lists of gardeners around the globe.

Seed savers garden planner full#

'It ends up being a full weekend where people engage with each other and our mission and celebrate the work we're all doing,” Scheffert said. The Conference & Campout, tentatively scheduled for July 17 to 18, draws the largest crowd. 'Some of our events draw people from all over the country and all over the world,” Scheffert said. Be sure to check online for postponements or cancellations. The organization's significant events this year are the spring Heirloom Plant Sale the Seeds Savers Exchange Benefit Concert on Aug. They learn about Seed Saver's history, planting and harvesting, then tour the gardens, which feature more than 1,000 varieties of plants. Those touring the farm may start seeds, wet process tomato seeds or winnow the chaff - the hard outer layer - from seeds. The site hosts numerous school groups and tours from May through September. Scheffert works year-round, spending much of the winter planning programs at Seed Savers headquarters on Heritage Farm, a short drive up a narrow dirt lane that meanders behind the farm's Lillian Goldman Visitors Center and display gardens. 'It's important to know where your food comes from,” she said. Scheffert, as education and engagement manager with Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, helps people make a connection between gardening, well-being and health, and the family and cultural histories of the food we grow. 'I develop a relationship with those plants,” she said.