Heirloom Seed Movement

The history of the heirloom seed movement

Heirloom seeds exist only because of the heirloom seed movement.  True heirloom seeds are not available commercially. The only way they can be obtained is from gardeners, farmers, and seed exchanges dedicated to saving and sharing precious seed resources with others interested in joining and expanding the heirloom seed movement.  

Why the heirloom seed movement began
Over the past 60 years multinational corporations have been gaining control over the availability and distribution of seeds. Modern seed production involves inbred plant varieties, genetically modified plant genes, and chemical sprays. Their patented and sterilized seeds prevent farmers and gardeners from saving and replanting.

In the 1970’s, seed patents and technology contracts forced farmers to return to the seed companies for seed year after year. Alarm grew as growers were becoming dependant on seed companies and seed varieties were disappearing. People became concerned about preserving genetic seed resources and conserving plant diversity. Many seed-saving organizations and seed exchange networks developed as a result, beginning this movement.

One of the first organizations was the Seed Savers Exchange, founded in 1975 by Kent and Dianne Whealy. Their seed collection started with seeds given to them from Diane’s grandfather. The seeds had been brought from Bavaria to Iowa in the 1870’s by Diane’s great-grandparents.  The Seed Savers Exchange has since grown into the largest non-governmental seed bank in the United States.