2017 Iowa Hunger Directory 2017 Edition | Page 488

Seed Savers Exchange DESCRIPTION CONTACT NAME Steffen Mirsky EMAIL Seed Savers Exchange conserves and promotes America's culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations by collecting, growing, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants. They fulfill their mission by:  steffenmirsky@gmail.com  PHONE 563-382-5990   OFFICE ADDRESS  3094 North Winn Road Decorah, IA 52101  TYPE OF WORK Maintaining thousands of varieties of different plant types—from amaranth to zucchini—in one of the largest seed banks of its kind in North America. Regenerating seed in isolation gardens and storing them in ideal conditions. Documenting valuable cultural information on varieties and their histories. Distributing heirloom varieties to members and the public through the Seed Savers Exchange Yearbook and the Seed Savers Exchange Catalog Storing varieties in back-up locations at the USDA Seed Bank in Fort Collins, CO and at Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway. These off-site deposits remain the property of SSE. Organizing educational programs at the Heritage Farm Seed Savers Exchange periodically donates heirloom seeds to initiatives such as Cultivate Iowa that help alleviate hunger. Educational/School, Garden Program COUNTIES Winneshiek Activities Statewide HOW TO HELP Iowans can suppor t the work of Seed Savers Exchange through donations, volunteering, purchasing and growing heirloom seeds or by joining as members. Groups and organizations can request a seed donation online, or contact them directly for more information, to host an educational speaker, or to explore opportunities for partnership. Page | 487