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Southern Seed Legacy (SSL) has been carrying out a number of activities and projects since its inception to serve its goal of preserving the cultural and gentic diversity of southern agriculture. Several of our activities, such as PASS or the seed swap, are open for participation to the general public. Please click on an activity you are interested in below and see what we’re up to!

Pass along Southern Seed (PASS) is an initiative to promote the conservation through use of both cultural knowledge and heirloom plants of the American South. PASS is open for the SSL members. Members interested in PASS borrow seeds from our seed catalog with the promise that s/he will save from the successful grow-outs and keep one-third, pass one-third to another gardener/farmer, and return one-third to SSL. Interested? ... find out more >>

Since 1996 the SSL has been hosting an Old Timey Seed Swap at AgrarianConnections Farm near the small town of Crawford in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. The purpose of these seed swaps is to facilitate networking among gardeners and farmers in the Southeast who grow heirloom plants with the hope that the exchange of knowledge, seeds, and enthusiasm will help toward the preservation of unique southern heirloom plant varieties. In addition to swapping many of our favorite garden varieties, the Old Timey Seed Swap is also a good excuse to come out and enjoy the Georgia springtime weather and to eat barbecue and listen to bluegrass music. Please follow the links below to see pictures from our past seed swaps... find out more >>

The SSL regularly gives out an award to a distinguished seedsaver from the southern United States. The award reconizes the contribution of seedsavers in preserving southern heirlooms plant varieties and their cultural knowledge... find out more >>

The SSL believes that saving people's knowledge and stories is as important as saving the seeds. They must go hand-in-hand. Over the years, SSL researchers have travelled to far ends of the American South in search of seed stories. A few examples are presented here... find out more >>

This is an undertaking to preserve the rich cultural and genetic history of southern heirloom fruit and nut trees. Not only do we collect trees that are richly imbued with historical value, but we collect their stories as well... find out more >>

Located on the Agrarian Connection Farm, the Southern Seed Legacy Garden is planted and tended each year to reproduce heirloom seed stock and to provide locally-grown, chemical free vegetables and herbs to friends and members. Each year we grow out at the main garden between 30-40 distinct varieties as a means to rejuvenate seeds. Sections of the garden are dedicated to native herbs, old-timey strawberries, and heritage fruit trees. A small flock of landrace chickens are kept in an adjacent pen and coup for farm-fresh eggs. We also cultivate small parcels around the farm (to maintain distance between crossers) as well as in the Southern Heritage Orchard. SSL membership fees support needed inputs while volunteers maintain the garden.