Seed Savers Exchange

Herman’s Garden

Thank you for your interest in the Seed Savers Exchange seed donation program. We have been privileged over the years to be able to donate seeds to many garden projects around the country and around the world. In 2007 we dedicated our seed donation program in honor of a special friend and supporter of SSE. The following story tells the spirit of our program, "Herman's Garden."

 

 

“Herman believed in the power of a seed. Over 30 years ago Seed Savers Exchange was a small out-of-the-way Missouri garden with big ambitions. Our young nonprofit organization rented land; we stored seeds in volunteers’ basements, deep freezers, and all over the country. We were a few people, a handful of seed, and a vision to populate gardens everywhere with rare and healthy seed varieties, keeping genetic diversity and age-old gardening heritage alive. When Herman Warsh and his wife Maryanne Mott heard about our vision, they believed in its merits. Through their financial and moral support over the years, they literally planted this dream in the earth. They gave Seed Savers Exchange a garden.

Their gift has grown into Seed Savers Heritage Farm, today an 890-acre farm in northeast Iowa where we collect, preserve and share over 24,000 different varieties of seeds. Seed Savers Exchange members have distributed heirloom seeds to thousands of gardeners throughout the world, and Heritage Farm is today the largest non-governmental seed bank in the country. For decades Herman and Maryanne visited the farm and were delighted by what that gift had become. Herman would grab a walking stick and set off humming to visit the gardens, admire the woods, or hike through to the White Pine woods. If children were about, he would take them along, pointing out trillium or red-tailed hawks soaring over the valley as they walked. He rejoiced that the farm provided not just seeds but food, health and community to the people who planted them.

In the spring of 2006, Herman Warsh passed away. Seed Savers lost a true friend and the world a gentle spirit. Herman wanted no fuss or flowers. If we wished to honor him, we were to do a good deed in his name. Herman’s belief in the legacy of one seed, one gift continues to guide our work. Honoring his spirit of generosity, Seed Savers Exchange donates seeds to organizations and community gardens around the globe. These seeds in no small part come from Herman, so in return we ask participants to continue giving, to do a good deed in Herman’s name, perhaps by teaching children to grow healthy gardens or to save seeds for new gardens next year or by delivering produce to a local food pantry. We ask that all tenders of Herman’s Gardens would send us stories or photographs so we can show how you have passed his gift to others. We know that our seed donations and the garden’s food, health and community that grow as a result would make Herman very happy.”

We wish all a bountiful harvest and please let us know with pictures, letters, articles or stories how "Herman's Garden" contributed to your community.

 

Herman's Garden Seed Donation Form

Thank you for your interest in Herman’s Garden Seed Donation Program. Please complete this form and either mail or fax it to the address at the bottom of this form.


Organization Name: __________________________________________________

Contact Name: _______________________________________________________

Mailing Address: _____________________________________________________

City: _____________________________ State: ______ Zip: __________________

UPS Address (if different than above): __________________________________

City: _____________________________ State: ______ Zip: __________________

Phone: ____________________________ Fax: _____________________________

Project Description: __________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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There is no charge for the seeds, but please consider a donation to cover our postage and handling costs. Suggested donation: $5 for less than 100 seed packets, $10 for up to 500 seed packets.

We are able to offer a variety of seed packs, valued at $2.75 per pack. These seeds have been recently returned from the SSE Seed Rack Program from stores throughout the country or overstock seed packets from the previous year. Because these seeds have been stored in a variety of environments, we recommend planting at more than the suggested sowing rate to make up for possible lower germination rates.

WE DO NOT ACCEPT REQUESTS FOR INDIVIDUAL VARIETIES OR SPECIAL ORDERS.

Upon sending this form, you agree to the following: I understand the seeds being shipped were packed for the previous season, stored under varied conditions, and therefore, may have a lower germination rate. These seeds are not to be resold.

Signature: _________________________________ Date: ______________________
We’d love to hear from you at the end of your growing season to see how you’ve “passed it on!”

Seed Savers Exchange
3094 North Winn Rd, Decorah Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-382-5990 ~ Fax: 563-382-5872