We have been waiting to share the Seed Savers Exchange Interview for a long time. Seed Savers Exchange is an integral part of our farming operation. Their pledge to preserve the biodiversity for our seeds has been an inspiration for us for decades. Today we would love to share this Seed Savers Exchange Interview with you! We will look at how the task of saving seeds has developed our cultural, culinary and historical heritage for 1,000’s of years. Toby Cain from Seed Savers Exchange kindly shares the passion that they have for preserving and sharing these incredible seeds.
Listen to the Seed Savers Exchange Interview below!
Seed Savers Exchange was founded in Missouri in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy. The reason both Diane and Kent became so interested in preserving seeds was because of Diane’s grandfather’s heirloom seeds for,‘Grandpa Ott’s’ morning glory and ‘German Pink’ tomato. These seeds, were brought to Iowa in the 1870s from Bulgaria. These seeds were the beginning of their collection, which has grown to 20,000 plant varieties. Seed Savers Exchange makes its home on 890 scenic acres in Winneshiek County, Iowa, at Heritage Farm.
They are dedicated to preserving the biodiversity of our plants. This seed company is dedicated to completely safe seeds for our gardens. Over a decade ago, to dedicate their practices, they signed the Safe Seed Pledge. The Safe Seed Pledge says the following:
Agriculture and seeds provide the basis upon which our lives depend. We must protect this foundation as a safe and genetically stable source for future generations. For the benefit of all farmers, gardeners and consumers who want an alternative, we pledge that we do not knowingly buy or sell genetically engineered seeds or plants. The mechanical transfer of genetic material outside of natural reproductive methods and between genera, families or kingdoms, poses great biological risks as well as economic, political and cultural threats. We feel that genetically engineered varieties have been insufficiently tested prior to public release. More research and testing is necessary to futher assess the potential risks of genetically engineered seeds.
You can take a quick tour of Seed Savers Exchange and see the farm in all of it’s glory in the short video below!
Become a member with Seed Savers Exchange and begin enjoying the benefits of saving and sharing seeds around the globe! Or go and follow Seed Savers Exchange on Facebook. This growing season, take the challenge and grow one heirloom plant to seed! Tell me all about the seed you are growing this year to save in the comments below. I cannot wait to hear how you are preserving biodiversity in your area.
Lynn
Email Lynn any questions you have about seed saving.
Share this article on social media to spread the word!
Pin this article for later on Pinterest!
I like this blog, it shares a lot of information about Seed savers exchange. Great thanks for sharing this interview with us.