We love Seed Savers Exchange. It’s a non-profit member supported organization whose headquarters is a 890-acre farm in Decorah, Iowa that maintains thousands of varieties of heirloom garden varieties of herbs, vegetables, flowers, fruits, legumes and even garlic. It was founded in 1975 by Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy to honor the tradition of preserving and sharing seeds. They started with the seeds of two garden plants given to them by Diane’s grandpa – a German Pink and Grandpa Otts’ morning glory, brought to the U.S. by his parents when they migrated from Bavaria.
What started as a personal mission has grown into a network of people that are carrying on the wisdom and know-how of seeds saving, as well as the creation of a living legacy of garden varieties cultivated over the centuries by generations of gardeners. This has proven and will prove to be even more of a saving grace in the years to come as our world’s seed supply continues to be monopolized, re-engineered, sterilized and corporatized.
In addition to our chicks, feed, and backyard farm supplies we’re carrying packets of Seed Savers Exchange seed varieties, as well as classic book on seed saving “Seed to Seed” by Suzanne Ashworth. Gardeners may also like to know that in addition, we carry Seeds of Change seed packets, seeds from Fukuda Seed, local fruit and spice trees, and organic seedling starters.
We’re thinking about starting a seed exchange library here at the hatchery later this year. If anyone is interested in participating, please email lisa@asagihatchery.com.