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| Gardens at Monitcello. Photo by my sister, Mary Fassetta |
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| Flowers at Monitcello |
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| Statue of Jefferson at University of Virginia |
Heritage Harvest Festival seed swap encourages exchange of historical and heirloom seed varieties
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—Seed savers will unite at the home of Thomas Jefferson September 17, to exchange historical and heirloom seed varietals at the Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello’s third annual Old Timey Seed Swap.
The 5th annual Heritage Harvest Festival at Monticello is a celebration of revolutionary gardener Thomas Jefferson. Often considered America’s “first foodie,” Jefferson championed vegetable cuisine, plant experimentation and sustainable agriculture. Monticello’s West Lawn, the location for this year’s swap, reveals the importance Thomas Jefferson placed on sharing seeds with neighbors. Jefferson’s excitement for botanical discoveries may have germinated with the Lewis and Clark expedition, from which he received a considerable amount of seed varieties. Jefferson had a genuine enthusiasm for seed exchange and preservation and was passionate about passing along seeds to fellow gardeners.
Jefferson wrote to André Thoüin of the Jardin de Plantes in Paris that his seeds “came safely to hand and were committed to our best seedsmen, in order that they might be preserved and distributed so as to become general.” Peter Hatch, Monticello’s director of gardeners and grounds, has dedicated his life’s work to restoring Thomas Jefferson’s revolutionary garden. His significant contributions to historic plant preservation and gardening have been manifested through seed saving.
“Seed saving, a critical feature of Thomas Jefferson’s gardening efforts at Monticello, is integral to the sustainable gardening movement. The Heritage Harvest Festival’s seed swap, at 9 a.m. on September 17th, is a fun and engaging introduction to traditional and heirloom varieties of flowers and vegetables. Sharing the seeds of special plants is a great way to preserve cherished vegetables and build a sense of community among gardeners of all levels of interest and knowledge,” said Hatch.
The seed swap allows festival goers to obtain and pass on rare seeds not available commercially. The Old Timey Seed Swap is open to anyone who shares an interest in gardening. Seed owners may give out samples or charge a fee for participants with no seeds to trade. Rodger Winn, host of the swap, anticipates a large response because of the participation of legendary seed savers, such as Debbie Donley and Rob Danford. Winn says most participants are from Central Virginia; however, avid gardeners from Kentucky, Minnesota, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina also participate. One of the many draws to the swap is the abundance of seeds from the Appalachia region, the birth place of many heirloom beans, corns, and tomatoes. Although these seeds are considered to be the most notable of the region, gardeners from Appalachia save seeds of all types of vegetable and flower plants.
The Old Timey Seed Swap attracts a multi-faceted group of people. Business professionals, home makers and farmers alike unite for networking and seed preservation. The diversity of people, the seed stories, and anticipation of getting something new is the uniqueness of the seed swap.
Join the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the Southern Seed Exchange, and Rodger Winn on Saturday September 17th at 9 a.m. to enjoy this exclusive sharing opportunity. The Old Timey Seed Swap is included in the price of admission to the Heritage Harvest Festival, $8 in advance, $10 at the door.


































