Visit to Seed Savers' Exchange in Iowa (July 2008)
We visited SSE July 10th near Decorah, IA, just 15 miles south of the MN border.
The Seed Savers Exchange website explains that SSE "is a non-profit organization that saves and shares the heirloom seeds or our garden heritage, forming a living legacy that can be passed down through generations...More than 23 acres of certified organic gardens are on public display at Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa. Each Summer 10% of each crop is planted on a 10-year rotation to renew the seed collection."
Standing outside the visitors' center, happy to finally see the place.
Hollyhocks line the walkway.
People tending the isolation tents, where a guilds of carrot, summer squash and tomato are grown for their seeds. Each tent has its guild of unique varieties, with pollinators under control.
Checking out the demonstration garden,
I am in heaven here!
