You probably know the popular Seed Savers Exchange catalog, which this year features 600 varieties of seed to choose from, and supports the beloved nonprofit preservation organization, which in 2025 is turning 50 years old. 

But maybe you haven’t clicked around in Seed Savers’ online seed swap that’s simply called The Exchange, where homegrown open-pollinated seed for more than 14,000 unique varieties is offered this year—some of it from Seed Savers’ own vast collection, and others from hundreds of individual gardeners all over the country. It’s the ultimate seed rabbit hole for keen gardeners to explore, and then some. 

The Exchange and all the diversity it represents is our topic today with Josie Flatgard, Exchange and outreach coordinator for the nonprofit Seed Savers Exchange, which is based in Decorah, Iowa. She’s here to tell us about the preservation work of Seeds Savers, and how the online seed swap on their website called The Exchange fits into the mission – and how we gardeners can join in the effort and access some heirloom seeds with compelling stories to tell. 

Categories: