Seed Savers Exchange

The SSE was enthusiastically recommended to my husband and I by a family friend who has been gardening for a few decades. They sell only heirloom and open pollinated seeds, and membership connects gardeners from all over the world (and also gets you 10% off future seed orders). The variety of seeds they offer is astounding. You can find rare varieties, organic seeds and even some oddball plants solely for decoration or surprising your guests. We’ve found some of the most delicious vegetables (Dester tomatoes, oh my!!) and have had nearly 100% germination rates using their seeds. I’m particularly pleased that we’ve been able to find a strain of peppers, cantelope and pumpkin which were originally propagated in Wisconsin, so we know they will grow well where we live. Every seed has a back story covering where they were found, the family who originally grew them, stories of near extinction or how they eventually came to the SSE.
Seed Savers has a mission that we can stand behind, knowing that the food we grow and share is not a part of commercial agriculture. You won’t find any GMOs here, and you know the seeds you’re buying are fresh and healthy. I love knowing that we are helping to maintain genetic diversity in an era of monoculture, almost as much as knowing that the plants I tend have been cultivated and passed on by generations of families like mine who just want good food to share with the friends and families they love.
You can visit their headquarters where they have heirloom gardens and orchards on display as well as events and learning opportunities. We plan on visiting this year. I’ll be sure to update when we do!

Travelled all the way from san francisco to visit seed savers and i wasn’t disappointed. The farm is a gift to the world, allowing everyday gardeners to see the possibilities with love and persistence. I bent down and cupped the earth, like a whipped froth of loam and chalk, it sifted between my fingers and scattered in the breeze. That fine tilth supports every manner of edible and ornamental, rare ducks, chickens, turkeys, pigs and cattle. We toured the apple and grape orchards and enjoyed crispy apples in sizes from large beans to nearly grapefruit sized. The grapes ranged from dusky gold to midnight black and were rare and perfumed. The grape collection was particularly inspiring and was paired with the history of the man responsible for most of the incredible, and mostly unknown, variety. Staff welcomes visitors and encouraged us to explore, enjoy and forage. We could not have been more welcomed. We returned the next day for the annual tomato tasting, a 73-​strong collection of all the tomatoes grown at seed savers. What a rare opportunity, we had our favorites but the experience itself was a huge delight. Thank you seed savers! Diane ott wheatley’s memoir of a seed saver was my introduction to the heirloom farm and concept and provided the onus for the trip to decorah, iowa. I recommend the book, the farm and the town most highly. The beauty and peace you will enjoy at this farm will stay with you forever and call for your return.

I wish everyone could experience Seed Savers. It’s a beautiful spot with amazing gardens and orchards, friendly people and of course a huge variety of heirloom seeds.
We visited for the annual Tomato Tasting. 73 varieties! Wow! And there was a salsa contest going on as well, OLE!
Make sure to walk up the hill to see the historical marker, apple orchard and the cold-​tolerant grapevines. Fantastic!
Seed Savers is doing important work and I wish them all the best!!!

One of the very few organizations in the US that gets the import of seed diversity, preserving the heritage of our food stuffs, and truly should be commended. Join the group for top notch seed selections and you’ll never look at a garden store seed display the same again!

A wonderful organization dedicated to saving our heirloom seeds and continuing the diversity in our food system.
Wonderful member benefits — the publications alone, sent out many times throughout the year, make the price worth it! Not too mention top notch gardening classes, seeds and seedlings, etc. all discounted!
The Visitor’s Center has beautiful tools and books for gardeners as well as household decorations to make you jump for joy!
We always recommend friends and family to take a drive to Seed Savers and then wander through the gardens!
One of Winneshiek County’s finest!

This amazing business is truly committed to the propagation and continuation of heirloom seeds. My household ordered tons of their seeds for vegetable gardening.
A membership gets you seed discounts, information on seed conservation, and «green living» bragging rights.
This business is one of the few that gives me hope for the future of our country!

This place makes me proud to be from Iowa…
keep on keepin on SSE