The Ozark Folk Center State Park's mission is to preserve Ozark traditions through music and crafts. On May 23, it will be the home for a nutritious, potentially tasty, preservation project: the Seventh Annual Ozark Seed Swap, 1-4 p.m. in the Administration Building.
The swap is co-sponsored by Revitalizing Ozark-Ouachita Seed Traditions (ROOST), a group dedicated to protecting heirloom seeds and cataloguing them in a database.
Tina Wilcox, gardener at the Ozark Folk Center, explains that with technology and the creation of hybrid seeds, which aren't always reliable in the size and quality of the fruits, vegetables and herbs they produce, there is a danger of losing heirloom, open-pollinated plant varieties.
Those heirlooms are more dependable and, she says, "The flavors are really good. There's a lot of charm, not just in keeping seeds that will grow true, but that it's good food."
The seed swap is one way to keep those heirloom germplasms alive. Gardeners of all skill and interest levels come out with their heirloom seeds for Brandywine or Oxheart tomatoes and trade for some Turkey Craw beans or Pencil Cob corn seeds.
They then take those seeds home, grow their own crop, and bring seeds back to trade for more varieties in 2016.
Those without seeds to share, who want to get started or learn more from the ROOST participants and Master Gardeners who regularly attend, are invited to come with small envelopes for seeds, questions and, perhaps a snack to share.
"It is good if you exchange energies in some way," Wilcox says, "but it's not required."
Admission is free. Call (870) 269-3851.
HomeStyle on 05/16/2015