The conference was great…very inspiring and we came back with a surprise! Seeds! Over the years our farm has been a market grower, then a CSA, and now just for our own enjoyment, we have gotten seeds from many places. Our favorite by far has been Baker Creek Heirlooms. They are from Missouri and are a great company.
Started by Jere Gettle when he was only 17, we feel like we share a lot in common as a young entrepreneur. He started collecting seeds and now travels the word collecting rare heirloom seeds. They even have quite a political voice in protecting the seed stock and even opened a store in California. Great to know there are seeds out there that you can grow that reproduce themselves- they carry 1200 varieties from 70 countries.
Not only do you feel good buying these seeds because they foster a sustainably culture, but you have tastier veggies, wonderful stories about how they came about and the knowledge in the fact that they are genuine. These seeds are the ones that we use for our transplants each spring (the seeds we’ll plant on our class in March!) and they even have a special tie in with our farm! The story goes a bit like this…
When we first met Jere it was at Garfield Farm’s Heirloom Show in LaFox, IL. He took a picture of our box of Cream Sausage tomatoes, a tasty variety of pure, creamy romas that are white! Today, they are in his catalog, as well as on the seed package. So we feel a bit like famous folks!
To support their efforts ( and encourage Spring to hurry here!) we started carrying his seeds. We have quite a lovely selection of peppers, tomatoes, squash, flowers, greens, melons and more yummy things. There’s more on order, too. In fact, you can buy a package of our “famous” Cream Sausage Tomatoes. And the prices are only $1-$3 a package for a generous quantity of real seeds.
We’ll also have transplants for many different varieties come May. But the greenhouse has to thaw a bit! Those -30 degree temps were not the best temps for our little greenhouse.
So stop in to the shop, or check out the link. It’s inspiring for all the gardeners and foodies out there!
The Friends of Esther fiber arts community 
