CATEGORIESThe History of Heirloom Vegetable Seed Movement
Heirloom Vegetable seeds exist only because of the this movement. True 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 Vegetable seed movement began
Over the past 60 years multinational corporations have been gaining control over the availability and distribution. Modern seed production involves inbred plant varieties, genetically modified plant genes, and chemical sprays. Their patented and sterilized prevent farmers and gardeners from saving and replanting.
In the 1970’s, 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 the heirloom seed movement.
One of the first organizations was the Seed Savers Exchange, founded in 1975 by Kent and Dianne Whealy. Their heirloom vegetable seed collection started with seeds given to them from Diane’s grandfather. They 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.
What the Movement is About?
This movement is made up of backyard gardeners and organic farmers dedicated to preserving heirloom seeds. These are ones that is not inbred or genetically altered in any way. Most of them date back hundreds of years to the early colonial period; however, an heirloom seed is any seed that was introduced before the 1920’s, before hybrid crops were first commercialized.
They are named as such because they can be traced back to their origins, connecting us to our own heritage. This heirloom vegetable seeds movement preserves seeds used by ancient Mesoamerican and Native American peoples along with seeds brought across the Atlantic by early immigrant populations from all over the world.
Heirloom Vegetable seeds provide farmers and gardeners the freedom to save seeds and breed new varieties. This in turn frees the agricultural industry from complete privatization and corporate takeover. This movement works to preserve plants that are adapted to specific soils of place, adaptable to climates, resistant to local pests and diseases, and produce healthier, more flavorful food. Saving and sharing these encourages genetic plant diversity which gives us reliable food security.
They are also referred to as heritage seeds, non-hybrid seeds and open-pollinated seeds. The term “open-pollinated” means that the seeds are fertile and come back year after year true to type, looking like their parent plants because of no genetic tampering or severe inbreeding.
This history dates back to 1951. It was in this year that first hybrids were developed from inbred lines. Some of them are hundred to one hundred and fifty years old. Often, heirloom vegetable seeds have certain inherent qualities due to which they can adapt to harsh weather conditions very easily.
Plantation of Heirloom Vegetable Seeds
Many passionate gardeners have taken interests to grow heirloom vegetables. They collect and plant them to grow heirloom vegetables. Many companies have also come up to offer at affordable rates. Even online purchasing, it has become quite easy and simple. Anyone can purchase these and can grow their own vegetables. Various nonprofit organizations also offer these seeds. Seed exchanges are also popular means among various farmers to procure such seeds.
It rests upon us also to preserve these precious Heirloom Vegetable Seeds so that the coming generations can also experience their rich flavor and smell of these genetically diverse vegetables. The objective is to pass on these valuable assets to the next generation so that these original vegetable types are never lost.