Our next installment for Throwback Thursday continues the story of where to go after 86 letters arrived from six states within six months! Bill, in his own words became a "collector, grower and distributer of heirloom beans and soon realized he needed assistance! Together with Michael, his youngest son and several other "seedy" people the idea for the non profit Sustainable Mountain Ag Center germinated--see what we did there? The Sustainable Mountain Ag Center would develop a seed bank to house the growing number of heirlooms seeds (beans, tomatoes and more) that had been sent. Michael directed the organization for several years, until Bill retired from Berea College and took over that responsibility. Several friends and growers of heirloom fruits and vegetables came on board to help as well. This website was created for the organization with the help of David, Bill's oldest son and soon after people had access to the many varieties collected thus far. By now word had spread and the letters with more seeds and requests begin to pour in. At this point, Irmgard, Bill's wife took on the task of labeling, packaging and responding to the requests that were mailed in, no easy task indeed! Stay tuned for our 3rd installment next week where we continue the journey of the Sustainable Mountain Ag Center.
In the meantime, new to heirloom seeds (or just want to read a little more?) Head here! https://www.heirlooms.org/bean-terminology.html
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