Seed Savers Exchange
Stories from the Seed Bank: Wick’s Lima Bean
Donated to SSE in 2004, Wick’s lima has a long history of being grown and shared as far back as the 1930s in West Virginia.
Read StoryShop Seeds for Your Garden
We built a movement, not a seed company.
Since 1975, we have grown, saved, and shared heirloom seeds and led a movement to protect biodiversity and preserve heirloom varieties. At the heart of our organization is a seed bank that houses a collection of 20,000+ rare, open-pollinated varieties. With gardeners like you, we can get these seeds where they belong—in gardens and on tables everywhere, for generations to come.
When seeds are in our bank, they are protected. When seeds are growing in your garden, they thrive.
Thank you for growing with us.
As a customer, member, or donor, you support our mission and our nonprofit work to...
Preserve
We steward a collection of 20,000+ rare and heirloom varieties in a seed bank at our Iowa headquarters.
Distribute
Through our catalog and online store, we get varieties out of our seed bank and growing. Sales support our nonprofit work.
Share
We educate and support community groups and gardeners looking to grow, save, and share seeds.
Our work relies on you.
Together, we can ensure these varieties are around for generations to come. Join our community today.
Donate NowBecome a MemberHeirloom Seeds with a Story + Beloved Favorites
Seed Savers Exchange stewards Americaʼs culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations. We educate and connect people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories.
