From Past to Present: What Makes a Seed Heirloom & What We Carry

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: From Past to Present

2. The Many Definitions of Heirloom Seeds

   • Generational Passing

   • Time Period

   • Open-Pollination

   • Region-Specific Adaptation

   • Non-Commercial Heritage

3. Beyond Definitions: Seeds as Living History

4. Common Misconceptions About Heirloom Seeds

5. Our Heirloom Offerings

   • Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans

   • Nottoway Corn

   • Tuscarora White Flour Corn

6. Why Seed Saving Matters

7. Explore Our Catalog

When we think of heirloom seeds, the word often evokes images of ancient varieties passed down through generations, each carrying stories of the people who grew them. Yet, defining an "heirloom seed" isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. The term has many interpretations, shaped by cultural, historical, and agricultural perspectives. At Alliance of Native Seedkeepers and Bertie County Seeds, we embrace this diversity in meaning while remaining committed to the seeds’ deeper significance—not just as crops, but as living connections to our ancestors and the land.

The Many Definitions of Heirloom Seeds

1. Generational Passing: Heirloom seeds are often described as varieties passed down through multiple generations, sometimes within the same family or community. This definition emphasizes continuity, as the seeds are cherished and cultivated season after season. However, an heirloom doesn’t always require several generations to hold significance. Even seeds passed from a single generation, like from a parent to their child, can be considered heirlooms. The value lies in the personal connection and the story embedded within the seed’s journey. For example, the Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans were carried by the Cherokee people during their forced relocation, symbolizing resilience and cultural continuity across generations, while a family heirloom tomato passed from mother to daughter holds just as much sentimental and historical weight within that family.

2. Time Period: Some define heirlooms as varieties that predate World War II, a time before the rise of industrial agriculture and hybridization. This era marked a shift toward large-scale farming focused on uniformity and yield, often at the expense of biodiversity. Others set the benchmark at 50 years or older. However, it's important to note that using a strict age-based definition means that, eventually, even genetically modified organisms (GMOs), like some genetically engineered tomatoes, could fall under the "heirloom" label. This highlights the need to consider not just the age of a seed but also its breeding history and cultural significance.

3. Open-Pollination: Heirloom seeds are typically open-pollinated, meaning they rely on natural methods like insects, wind, or birds for pollination. This allows gardeners to save seeds from one season to the next, with offspring that remain true to the parent plant. However, while all heirlooms are open-pollinated by most definitions, not all open-pollinated seeds are heirlooms. For instance, Nottoway Corn is an open-pollinated variety tied to cultural heritage, while modern open-pollinated varieties may lack historical context but still offer genetic diversity.

4. Region-Specific Adaptation: Some heirloom seeds are valued for their adaptation to specific climates, soils, and growing conditions within a region. These seeds thrive where they've been nurtured over time, often developing unique flavors and resilience. Tuscarora White Flour Corn is a prime example, adapted to the growing conditions of the Tuscarora people’s ancestral lands. Its deep roots in the region reflect not just agricultural adaptation but cultural identity.

5. Non-Commercial Heritage: Many heirlooms originate from small farms, family gardens, or Indigenous communities rather than large commercial seed companies. These seeds often carry stories, traditions, and histories that transcend monetary value. For example, Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry has been passed down through Pennsylvania Dutch communities, valued for its sweet, citrus-like flavor and connection to traditional recipes, rather than commercial demand.

Beyond Definitions: Seeds as Living History

At Alliance of Native Seedkeepers and Bertie County Seeds, we see heirloom seeds as more than just plant varieties—they are living records of our agricultural and cultural heritage. Our founders come from agricultural traditions dating back tens of thousands of years. We are part of one of the world's ten agricultural centers where farming was independently developed. This connection means that some of our pre-contact ancestral seeds transcend modern definitions of heirlooms. They represent something deeper: sacred ties to the land, to our ancestors, and to the future generations who will continue to cultivate them.

Common Misconceptions About Heirloom Seeds

One common misconception is that heirloom seeds are always more productive, disease-resistant, or nutritious than modern open-pollinated or hybrid varieties. While many heirlooms offer exceptional flavors and resilience, they don’t universally outperform contemporary varieties. Each seed has its own strengths, shaped by its environment, history, and the care given by generations of growers.

Another myth is the confusion between hybrids and GMOs. Hybrids are the result of controlled cross-pollination between two distinct plants to achieve desired traits, like improved yield or pest resistance. This is a natural breeding process, GMOs, which involve genetic engineering in a laboratory setting. In scientific terms, GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are organisms whose genome has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This often involves inserting genes from different species or even different biological kingdoms (e.g., bacterial genes inserted into plant DNA) to produce traits that would not occur through traditional breeding. 

It is important to note that there are varying interpretations of what constitutes a GMO within scientific, agricultural, and gardening communities. Some definitions include broader biotechnological modifications, such as gene editing techniques like CRISPR, while others focus specifically on transgenic modifications—where genes from entirely different species are introduced. In the context of our work, we define GMOs as seeds that have had genes inserted from other kingdoms or species through laboratory techniques. This definition is important because it reflects our values regarding traditional seed stewardship and access.

We do not offer GMO seeds. GMO seeds are patented, tightly controlled, and not available to home gardeners. Our commitment to sustainability and transparency guides us to source only non-GMO, open-pollinated, and heirloom seeds.

Our Heirloom Offerings

We carry a wide range of heirloom seeds that reflect the richness of agricultural history. Here are a few varieties we're proud to offer:

• Cherokee Trail of Tears Beans: A poignant symbol of resilience, these beans were carried by the Cherokee people during their forced relocation, known as the Trail of Tears. They produce glossy black beans with a rich, hearty flavor.

• German Johnson Beefsteak Tomato: Known for its large, meaty fruits with a sweet, rich flavor, this tomato variety has deep roots in Appalachian gardening traditions and remains a favorite for slicing and sandwiches.

• Scarlet Nantes Carrot: A beloved heirloom variety with a sweet, crisp flavor and vibrant orange color, perfect for fresh eating or juicing, and renowned for its adaptability and uniform growth.

Why Seed Saving Matters

Seed saving is not just a practice; it's an act of cultural preservation and ecological stewardship. Through saving seeds, we maintain biodiversity, adapt crops to local conditions, and honor the knowledge of our ancestors. Some seeds, especially those from pre-contact Indigenous communities, are sacred and held in seed sanctuaries to ensure they remain within their original communities before becoming available to the public.

Explore Our Catalog

We invite you to explore our catalog, where each seed variety carries its own story. We provide detailed descriptions that often share the history and cultural significance behind the seeds. As you read through them, you may find that different seeds align with various definitions of "heirloom." Ultimately, you can decide what heirloom means to you.

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