Itty Bitty Seeds

The journey began as market gardeners who faced the challenge of finding a local seed supplier. Unable to locate one within a 100-mile radius, they decided to start saving their own seeds. This shift from a linear cycle of purchasing, growing, and selling to a more holistic seed-to-seed cycle allowed them to complete the natural growing cycle at home. Over time, their efforts snowballed, and they began saving enough seeds to supply others, driven by a passion for sustainability and genetic diversity.

The farm emphasizes sustainability, genetic diversity, and natural growing practices. They focus on gardening post-oil, skilling up for powering down, and achieving self-sufficiency within their community. Their approach includes a three-year rotation plan for crops, ensuring a balanced variety of vegetables each year. They also prioritize open-pollinated varieties and gradually expand their seed-saving efforts, starting with tomatoes and adding beans, lettuce, peas, and more over time. The farm continually reassesses and tweaks their methods to improve crop performance and maintain a balance between market gardening and seed gardening.

The farm participates in local events like Creston Seedy Saturday, where they trade, pick up, and purchase seeds. They also lead seed-saving classes, sharing their knowledge and resources with the community. Their dedication to seed saving is evident in their meticulous planning and trialing of new varieties to adapt to their climate. They enjoy meeting like-minded individuals and find great reward in their work and community interactions.