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Stewardship Stories

Stewardship stories have always been an important part of SSE’s preservation work. Seeds are not just a food source but a record of human history. Seeds are intrinsically connected to culture, health, technology, and the human experience. Many of the heirloom seeds in our collection have been grown and preserved by generations of families, each with their own stories of why they saved the seeds.

An array of seeds of many different varieties organized into a wooden grid.

Stewardship Stories: Suzanne Ashworth

This is the story of Suzanne Ashworth, one of nine small seed companies and a few of the varieties they have preserved. While each and every one of their backgrounds is as unique and bold as the varieties they share, they all have one thing in common: the passion for sharing seeds.

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Group of people smiling in an apple orchard.

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Seed Rematriation

Seed rematriation addresses the desire for Indigenous communities to actively reclaim their ancestral seeds and traditions. Seed Savers Exchange, with grants from North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE), has actively supported Indigenous communities by rematriating seeds in the SSE collection back to their cultures of origin with the goal of practicing sustainable, sovereign, and environmentally and socially responsible agriculture. 

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celery-like stalks attached to large, white root bulbs, grouped together on a wooden surface

Stewardship Stories: Craig Dremann

Craig and his childhood friend David Theodoropoulos decided to hitch-hike 2,400 miles from northern California to Dimondale, Michigan in an effort to preserve Harry Saier’s seed collection. Ultimately, this was the catalyst that helped Craig found Redwood City Seed Company, and allowed David to start J.L. Hudson Seedsman.

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Photo of Ira Wallace, owner of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.

How to Grow Collards with Ira Wallace

Discover expert tips on growing healthy, vibrant collard greens with Ira Wallace, a collard connoisseur and seed-saving advocate. Learn her top five tips for cultivating collards, plus get two delicious recipes, from Brazilian Garlic Collards to classic Southern-style greens. A must-read for gardening enthusiasts and collard lovers alike!

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Three large dark purple/red tomatoes on a wood table

Q&A with Craig LeHoullier, SSE Tomato Advisor

Craig discovered a passion for heirloom tomatoes when he joined Seed Savers Exchange in 1986 and today serves as SSE’s tomato adviser.
He has named and popularized many well-known tomatoes, including ‘Cherokee Purple,’ and in 2005 added amateur tomato breeding to his garden resumé. He continues to co-lead a space-limited breeding project, responsible for creating 125 (and counting) new compact growing varieties for space-challenged gardeners.

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A man wraps his arms around a giant pumpkin resting on the ground

Exchange Spotlight: Steve Strickler

It’s a fact—the Exchange remains a vibrant source of unique, awe-worthy seeds because of our passionate listers and their distinctive interests. One such lister is Bloomington, Indiana, resident Steve Strickler, a grower of state record-breaking produce.

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