Herman’s Garden
Welcome to Herman's Garden! We are now accepting requests.
Donation Request Form

Thank you for your interest in the Seed Savers Exchange seed donation program. Over the years, Seed Savers Exchange has been blessed with generous friends who helped us grow and prosper. The late Herman Walsh and his wife Maryanne Mott were among our earliest and most fervent supporters. Their financial and moral support literally planted our dream in the earth. Seed Savers Exchange honors the generous spirit of Herman and Maryanne with "Herman's Garden" - a seed donation program. This program has built a network of gardens around the world that fight hunger, build community, and teach children and adults the virtues of homegrown food. We ask those who tend one of "Herman's Gardens" to offer garden advice, plant seeds, share the harvest, and save seeds to pass on. For more information click on the links below: About the spirit of our program Join Herman's Garden Community Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions Herman's Garden Poster Donation Request Form

About The Spirit of Herman's Garden Program

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 non-profit organization rented land; we stored seeds in volunteers’ basements and deep freezers 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 thousands of 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 stream, 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. He rejoiced that the farm provided not just seeds but food, health and community to the people who planted those seeds.

In the spring of 2006, Herman Warsh passed away. Seed Savers Exchange 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. We ask participants to continue giving, to do a good deed in Herman’s name, perhaps by teaching children to grow healthy gardens, to save seeds for new gardens next year, or by delivering produce to a local food pantry. Also, we ask that all tenders of Herman’s Gardens send us stories or photographs so we can show how you have passed on his gift to others. We know that our seed donations and the garden’s food, health and community that grow would make Herman very happy.

Join Herman's Garden Community

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.

We have new members in Herman's Garden community! The Northeast Iowa Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), is connecting Seed Savers Exchange with wonderful volunteers. These volunteers donate their time to organize, package and send seed donations to Herman's Gardens across the country.

Requirements & Frequently Asked Questions

What is in a donation?
Recipients are sent a variety of seed packets, valued at $2.75 per packet. These seeds have been recently returned from the Seed Savers Exchange retail 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. Due to increased demand, "Herman's Garden" seed is limited; we will supply each project with what we can.

Now in every Herman's Garden donation box we will include a specially-marked seed packet of pole beans and empty seed envelopes. We hope that these seeds will be grown in every Herman’s Garden for their seed. That seed can then be passed on to other gardeners.

Who is eligible?
Our donated seed is intended only for established community and educational groups who will freely share the harvest, and save seed for others in need. Non-profits, schools, community gardens, and educational programs in the U.S. are eligible to receive Herman's Garden seed donations. Due to customs restrictions and shipping costs, we cannot honor requests outside of the United States. We do not accept requests from individuals. We do not accept requests for projects where seed will be sold, or resulting produce will be sold.

When will the seed donations arrive?
Due to the community service aspect of this project, we cannot guarantee shipment dates or send invoices. We will start fulfilling order requests for 2010, in early January 2010, and continue until the seed supply is depleted.

What do I need to do to receive a Herman's Garden donation?
Include a $10 donation to cover postage and handling. Please include donation form with seed request. Download, and complete the "Donation Request Form."
Mail to:
Attn: Herman's Garden, 3094 North Winn Road, Decorah, IA 52101,
Or email to: Herman's Garden

Donation Request Form
Please download and complete request form.