Connections and re-connections: It was wonderful to get to spend quality time and have great conversations with so many people - Seed Savers John and Helen Swenson, Joel and Coleen Girardin and their grandson Drew (to whom I promised pepper seeds), Jim Tjepkema, Jim Henry, John Trumpeter, Craig Lindquist, Carol Koury, our friends Jeff and Mary Fleming, Jeff and Patty McCormack, Ira Wallace, SSE staff and board members Joanne Thuente, Diane Ott Whealy, Shanyn Siegel, Rosiland Creasy, Lindsay Lee, David Cavagnaro, Dan Bussy, Rob Johnston and Janika Eckert, Amy Goldman, Matthew Dillon, Neil Hamilton, Keith Crotz, Suzanne Ashworth, Will Bonsall, Clive and Penny Blazey, Glenn and Linda Drowns, Bill Musser, Kristie Austin, Laura Metcalf, Tom Wahlberg, Larry Grimstad, John and Pat Torgrimson, Shannon Carmody, new friend Ethne Clarke and long time friend Arllys Adelmann.....as well as many others that asked me questions, attended my talk and workshop and held tomato discussions with me. I suspect that this list is not quite complete, but it is the best I can do at the moment! I hope that many of you that I met decide to jump into our Dwarf tomato project and try out a few of the exciting and promising new varieties in development!
Mission, event, facilities: If I ever forgot why we seed savers do what we do, and why we CAN do what we do, this event reconfirmed it so clearly. The facilities, buildings, gardens, laboratories are all treasures, ably cared for and managed to the level that they all deserve. I was blown away by the discipline, intellect, competence, and care exhibited by everyone who works at Heritage Farm - from the Lillian Goldman Welcome center store to the laboratories and warehouses and library. It is truly a unique, remarkable place staffed and run by truly remarkable people.
The event was incredibly well managed - the daily schedule, meals, refreshments, workshops - it all went off on time and without a hitch. One of the most encouraging things, to me, was seeing so many young people attending and showing their excitement about becoming involved with saving seed and helping to maintain our horticultural heritage. We left the event feeling confident of the mission and how it is being managed, as well as considering and taking the organization into the future. I feel very fortunate to be an Adviser for the SSE and look forward to many collaborations and opportunities to contribute to that future.
So.....Sue and I will be heading back on Labor Day weekend for the SSE Heritage Farm tomato tasting. This coming Saturday's Tomatopalooza will be a great palate tune up!
But between now and then, there is the usual - watering, harvesting, tasting, seed saving....and sharing it all with all of you!
Mission, event, facilities: If I ever forgot why we seed savers do what we do, and why we CAN do what we do, this event reconfirmed it so clearly. The facilities, buildings, gardens, laboratories are all treasures, ably cared for and managed to the level that they all deserve. I was blown away by the discipline, intellect, competence, and care exhibited by everyone who works at Heritage Farm - from the Lillian Goldman Welcome center store to the laboratories and warehouses and library. It is truly a unique, remarkable place staffed and run by truly remarkable people.
The event was incredibly well managed - the daily schedule, meals, refreshments, workshops - it all went off on time and without a hitch. One of the most encouraging things, to me, was seeing so many young people attending and showing their excitement about becoming involved with saving seed and helping to maintain our horticultural heritage. We left the event feeling confident of the mission and how it is being managed, as well as considering and taking the organization into the future. I feel very fortunate to be an Adviser for the SSE and look forward to many collaborations and opportunities to contribute to that future.
So.....Sue and I will be heading back on Labor Day weekend for the SSE Heritage Farm tomato tasting. This coming Saturday's Tomatopalooza will be a great palate tune up!
But between now and then, there is the usual - watering, harvesting, tasting, seed saving....and sharing it all with all of you!
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