Two Ways to Preserve

Seed Savers Exchange approaches preservation in a two-pronged approach that we call participatory preservation. Ex situ preservation involves the long-term care and storage of seeds of heirloom and open-pollinated varieties in our genebank, keeping them around for generations to come, in situ preservation involves sharing seeds of these varieties with gardeners and farmers who help preserve them by growing them.

We take great care to ensure the health and viability of our collection. Each year, we grow out select varieties in gardens at Heritage Farm to keep our seed supply healthy and viable, placing these newly grown out seeds into our seed bank and into the hands of gardeners around the nation. To maintain accurate records of each variety’s traits, our Evaluation Team grows out other varieties and keeps careful track of them, updating descriptions, and checking for inconsistencies. Our seed historian researches the story of each variety, documenting its history and the lives of the people who brought it to our collection.

The seed regeneration that takes place at Heritage Farm is important, but it is strengthened by a the work of a community of seed savers. When gardeners grow out a variety and save its seeds, the variety adapts to the growing conditions of the area. Without individual gardeners growing and saving seeds, we miss our chance to help seeds adapt to changing conditions. You can play an enormous role in preservation by growing out heirloom varieties for seed in your garden.

Two Ways to Share Seeds

Since a network of growers is so important to conservation, we work to get seeds into the hands of as many gardeners as possible.

Gardeners share homegrown seeds with one another through our Seed Exchange, which is open to members and nonmembers alike. Participants of all ages and from across the world, share seeds on our site, and Seed Savers Exchange offers many varieties from our own extensive collection on the Exchange as well.

We also share seeds through our catalog and online shop, so that gardeners everywhere may grow and enjoy heirloom and rare varieties, keeping these varieties in and of the world, which also serves to fulfill our mission of connecting to our nation’s food and garden heritage. When combined with memberships and donations, these seed sales help to fund our ongoing preservation work.