Since 1975, Seed Savers Exchange has protected the biodiversity of our food system—and our planet—by preserving rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties of seeds on our seed bank at Heritage Farm and encouraging gardeners and farmers worldwide to grow, harvest, and share heirloom seeds as well as recount the inspirational stories behind them.
Stories like when co-founders Kent Whealy and Diane Ott Whealy were entrusted by Diane’s grandfather with two heirloom family seeds, ‘Grandpa Ott’s morning glory’ and ‘German Pink’ tomato. These seeds, brought by Grandpa Ott’s parents from Bavaria when they immigrated to Iowa in the 1870s, became the first two varieties in the collection that today includes more than 20,000 plant varieties.
Seed Savers Exchange makes its home on 890 scenic acres in Winneshiek County, Iowa, at Heritage Farm. Visitors are invited to traverse wooded bluffs and valley pastures on a network of hiking trails connecting our orchards, cattle pastures, and remote gardens.
