A collage of various images of heirloom plants, including 'Moon & Stars' watermelon, 'German Pink' tomato, 'Three Pound Coffee Can' asparagus, 'Grandpa Ott's' morning glory, dill, and 'Good Mother Stallard' bean

50th Anniversary Heirloom Seed Collection

Great seeds, great seed stories. Seed Savers Exchange has stewarded both since its founding in 1975. To mark our 50th year, we’ve released a limited-edition heirloom seed collection featuring six of our most-cherished varieties.

Stewardship Stories

Hope & Practice: Spencer Carter

Hope and Practice: Spencer Carter, A Heart Filled With Hope. To celebrate Seed Savers Exchange’s 50th anniversary we will be featuring the work and inspiration of Exchange listers in the Hope and Practice series.

White and red speckled 'Lina Sisco Bird Egg' beans

Varieties

The story of the ‘Lina Sisco Bird Egg’ bean

Lina Sisco of Wadena, Missouri, was one of the original listed members of the True Seed Exchange (as Seed Savers Exchange was known until 1979) and the donor of the beautiful and popular ‘Lina Sisco Bird Egg’ bean.

A bunch of long green beans in a metal container in front of gray fabric

Recipes

Recipe: Panzanella Green Bean Salad

Panzanella Green Bean Salad By Beth Dooley, chef and author. Panzanella—the word is said to have come from the Italian “pane” (bread) and “zanella” (soup bowl). What it really means is a salad-sandwich, with fresh garden vegetables, great bread, and terrific olive oil. Though it’s most often associated with tomatoes, this summer toss-up is open to any interpretation—including zucchini, summer squash, and cucumbers—and it’s terrific with green beans. Make this ahead so the flavors mingle and the bread softens; it’s perfect picnic or beach fare.

A white bowl with a mash of multicolored long beans and spices

Recipes

Recipe: Great Grandma’s Sour Dill Yellow Beans

Great Grandma’s Sour Dill Yellow Beans submitted by Liz Belina, Seed Savers Exchange member. “This old family recipe has been passed down without being written down,” says Liz. “It was made often in the summer to go along with panfish Grandma would catch in the pond with her cane pole. Since she was here as a first-generation Bohemian, I like to think the recipe came from that region.”

A close up of a leafy green lettuce plant with some splashes of bronze color

Varieties

Members Help ADAPT Program Shine

The year 2017 proved a success for Seed Savers Exchange’s new Community Science programs. Myriad SSE members answered the call to participate in one (or both) of the programs—ADAPT and RENEW.

A man poses next to a large wooden case displaying hundreds of different bean varieties

Stewardship Stories

The Life and Legacy of the Bean Man

John Withee became a legend championing bean biodiversity and seeking to protect heirloom beans from extinction. John took his hobby to the extreme, building a national network of bean aficionados, amassing a collection of 1,186 varieties, and gaining national fame for his humble campaign.

Oblong white and red speckled beans clustered on a white surface

Stewardship Stories

Painted Jewels: The Bean Collection of John Withee

Take a closer look at some of the varieties in John Withee’s bean collection.

A tall bean plant supported by a trellis made of netting and tree branches in a garden

Stewardship Stories

‘Brinker Carrier’ Bean

From the Seed Savers Exchange collection, the ‘Brinker Carrier’ bean represents the histories and connections between two families in West Virginia that span several generations.

A pile of black and white lima beans with two green pods on top and in the lower left corner a seal that reads,

Varieties

Wick’s Lima Bean

Discover the rich history and exceptional flavor of ‘Wick’s’ Lima Bean, a vigorous pole bean with a lineage dating back to the 1930s. Passed down through generations, this heirloom variety produces slightly curved pods with beautifully mottled or solid purple seeds. Enjoy its sweet flavor fresh or its nutty taste when dried. Learn how to grow, cook, and preserve this unique lima bean while exploring its fascinating story through the CORE Project’s preservation efforts.