Seed Swap in Russellville

Bulbs from CAAH.

This past Saturday CAAH (Conserving Arkansas Agricultural Heritage) hosted a seed swap at All Saints Episcopal Church in Russellville. There was a wonderful turn-out of probably around sixty people from the Russellville community as well as folks from Dardanelle and Dover.

There were heirloom french melon seeds from a family outside of Dover, Russian Kale from Russellville, a hummingbird vine seed from Dardanelle, and much more. The best part was all the conversations that came out of all these gardeners getting together to swap and discuss.

I took my recording equipment and had the opportunity to visit with several folks about seeds, gardening, and local food, including a regional beekeeper, several area gardeners, and the students who are currently volunteering with CAAH. I’ll be producing a radio piece highlighting their stories and voices which should run within the month.

There are several seed swaps coming up, including one in Little Rock next week. Check out this previous post for upcoming swaps. You don’t have to be a seed saver or even a gardener to attend. It’s a learning experience for everyone, and these events are to get people involved with agricultural heritage, local food, gardening traditions, and organic growing, so if this is something that interests you then go! You’ll be glad you did.

What seed swaps are happening in other states? I’d love to hear about them!

Here are a few photos from the event.

Seed swappers.

Related Posts

• The Seed and the Story Column: Garden Stories Book and McElroy House.
• Friday Video: Seed Swap Documentary
• The Seed and the Story: CAAH and Arkansas Seed Swaps
• Interested in being the first Local Foods Coordinator for the City of Little Rock?
• 2011 Arkansas Seed Swaps Co-sponsored by Conserving Arkansas’s Agricultural Heritage