The Latest Breaking News from Seed Savers Exchange

In 1991, Wisconsin factory worker Bill Minkey answered a seed-saving ad; by 2017, he had contributed nearly 500 plant varieties to Seed Savers Exchange

Bill Minkey embarked on his seed-saving adventure in 1991 after spotting a small ad in a newspaper. This spark of interest evolved into a passionate commitment, as he made invaluable contributions to the Seed Savers Exchange. Documenting almost 500 plant varieties, Minkey fostered a community of gardeners dedicated to preserving…

The Economic Times · Oct 22

Meet Ron Thuma, a Kansas maintenance worker who started with just a handful of family seeds in the 1970s; Decades later, he had shared more than 275 varieties

Ron Thuma began saving heirloom vegetable seeds in the 1970s and built a renowned collection over time. Living in Hartford, Kansas, he combined his gardening passion with a commitment to public service. He volunteered as a firefighter and served as mayor while working at the Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge.…

The Economic Times · Oct 4

How an Italian family’s 1900s pepper survived generations in America

A pepper can carry more history than its size suggests. For the Riccelli family, an Italian heirloom known as the ‘Ausilio Thin Skin Italian’ has remained tied to family cooking across several generations. The variety came to America with relatives whose roots were in Italy in the early 1900s, and…

The Times of India · Oct 3

Valeria Dukelow began saving her mother’s red poppy seeds in Pittsburgh in the 1960s; more than 50 years later, gardeners were still growing the same family flowers

Valeria Dukelow cultivated the Chima Family Heirloom poppy, a warm red flower, in Pittsburgh. The plant has been passed down through generations, originating from seeds sent by Sarah Russ Chima's mother in Romania. Gardening organizations, like Seed Savers Exchange, maintain biodiversity by preserving heirloom seeds. The article emphasizes the importance…

The Economic Times · Sep 29

Pennsylvania teacher preserved his white pumpkin for nearly 40 years; gardeners now grow it too

Wayne Fortna, a Pennsylvania teacher, preserved a unique cream-colored pumpkin variety for decades. He found solace in gardening after serving as a tank commander during World War II. His daughter helped save the heirloom seeds through a local museum after his passing. The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum maintained…

The Times of India · Sep 18

Meet Wayne Fortna, a Pennsylvania teacher who kept one white pumpkin alive for nearly 40 years just for Thanksgiving pie; gardeners can still buy its seeds today

Wayne Fortna cultivated a unique white pumpkin for nearly forty years, ensuring a Thanksgiving pie tradition. After his death, his daughter and volunteer growers continued this legacy. This heirloom variety faced near extinction due to seed mold issues. The Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum's Heirloom Seed Project helped preserve…

The Economic Times · Sep 17

The importance of heirloom seeds

"[The] goal is to preserve and promote these heirloom cultivars . . . so future generations can enjoy them"

Salon · Aug 22, 2023