The Heirloom Collard Project

Celebrating seed stories and seed saving traditions

Meet the Collards Watch Collard Week

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="" title="Collards-Text" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?w=1433&ssl=1 1433w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?resize=300%2C43&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?resize=768%2C111&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?resize=1024%2C148&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?resize=800%2C116&ssl=1 800w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Collards-Text.png?resize=400%2C58&ssl=1 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" class="wp-image-105" data-recalc-dims="1" />

The Heirloom Collard Project is a collaboration between Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, Seed Savers Exchange, Working Food, and The Utopian Seed Project. This project aims to build a coalition of seed stewards, gardeners, farmers, chefs, and seed companies working to preserve heirloom collard varieties and their culinary heritage.

Heirloom Collard Project 21 Collards - The Utopian Seed Project

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Heirloom Collard Project 21 Collards - The Utopian Seed Project" title="Heirloom Collard Project 21 Collards - The Utopian Seed Project" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?w=2560&ssl=1 2560w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=300%2C180&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C614&ssl=1 1024w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C461&ssl=1 768w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C922&ssl=1 1536w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1229&ssl=1 2048w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C648&ssl=1 1080w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=1280%2C768&ssl=1 1280w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=627%2C376&ssl=1 627w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?resize=440%2C264&ssl=1 440w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/21-Collards_Heirloom-Collards-Project_tusp-scaled.jpg?w=2160&ssl=1 2160w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" class="wp-image-26331" data-recalc-dims="1" />

Collard Week

Binge Watch ALL The Presentations!

Michael Twitty, Ira Wallace, Amirah Mitchell and Ashleigh Shanti will lead presentations throughout a week of events celebrating collards!

Learn More

heirloomcollards

MEET 2021 COLLARD SEED STEWARDS: Guilford College

MEET 2021 COLLARD SEED STEWARDS: Guilford College Farm!

The original Guilford College Farm was an integral part of the institution at the time of its founding by the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the then-rural New Garden community in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1837. The farm was important to the college community’s survival and sustenance through both the Civil War and the Great Depression. The adjacent woodlands served as an important site of refuge for enslaved persons seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad network, and provisions from the farm nourished freedom seekers along this journey. Following national trends of a contracting agricultural sector during and after WWII, the Guilford College Farm stopped its historic operations in 1943.

In 2011, a select group of faculty and staff were determined to revive the college farm, as both a productive unit of campus and the central node for the development of associated curricular programs in environmental & sustainability studies and sustainable food systems. In the farm’s second life, it has grown to include several ancillary programs, including a CSA, a mobile market, community garden development partnerships, and educational programming and support. The Guilford College Farm has also been committed to regionally-adapted, heritage and heirloom varieties through most of its current era of operation. Current efforts include an intentional foray into seed conservation, rematriation, and education, focusing especially on the multicultural expressions of both historic and contemporary Carolina Creole Garden heritage. Our participation in the Heirloom Collards Project is an important element of this effort, as we serve to build seed stock and restore some of these rare collard varieties to gardens and kitchens in North Carolina and the greater southeast. Our first selection, the Nobling collard, was developed and tended by the Nobling family of Garner, NC, just about an hour and a half east of the Guilford Farm. We are honored to be a partner in the Heirloom Collards Project.

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="MEET 2021 COLLARD SEED STEWARDS: Guilford College Farm! The original Guilford College Farm was an integral part of the institution at the time of its founding by the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the then-rural New Garden community in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1837. The farm was important to the college community’s survival and sustenance through both the Civil War and the Great Depression. The adjacent woodlands served as an important site of refuge for enslaved persons seeking freedom through the Underground Railroad network, and provisions from the farm nourished freedom seekers along this journey. Following national trends of a contracting agricultural sector during and after WWII, the Guilford College Farm stopped its historic operations in 1943. In 2011, a select group of faculty and staff were determined to revive the college farm, as both a productive unit of campus and the central node for the development of associated curricular programs in environmental & sustainability studies and sustainable food systems. In the farm’s second life, it has grown to include several ancillary programs, including a CSA, a mobile market, community garden development partnerships, and educational programming and support. The Guilford College Farm has also been committed to regionally-adapted, heritage and heirloom varieties through most of its current era of operation. Current efforts include an intentional foray into seed conservation, rematriation, and education, focusing especially on the multicultural expressions of both historic and contemporary Carolina Creole Garden heritage. Our participation in the Heirloom Collards Project is an important element of this effort, as we serve to build seed stock and restore some of these rare collard varieties to gardens and kitchens in North Carolina and the greater southeast. Our first selection, the Nobling collard, was developed and tended by the Nobling family of Garner, NC, just about an hour and a half east of the Guilford Farm. We are honored to be a partner in the Heirloom Collards Project." data-recalc-dims="1">

Reposted from @permaculture_garden Just did an IG

Reposted from @permaculture_garden Just did an IG Live with Norah Hummel, @heirloomcollards our guest presenter for tonight's webinar on collards.⁠
⁠
It was such a fun, educational chat, but unfortunately, something happened and I could not post it on IG. 😔⁠
⁠
No worries. All the important, juicy info on the importance of growing collards is happening tonight on the "Growing and Stewarding Collards" webinar! ⁠
⁠
Thanks to @seed_savers_exchange, we're giving away free seeds to the first 100 registrants. We are at 86 right now. ⁠
⁠
Register ⁠
https://bit.ly/Collards-Webinar-IG⁠⁠ (or link in bio)⁠
⁠
Growing collards brings about diversity in so many ways and the rewards are as enormous and abundant as this beautiful plant.

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Reposted from @permaculture_garden Just did an IG Live with Norah Hummel, @heirloomcollards our guest presenter for tonight's webinar on collards.⁠ ⁠ It was such a fun, educational chat, but unfortunately, something happened and I could not post it on IG. 😔⁠ ⁠ No worries. All the important, juicy info on the importance of growing collards is happening tonight on the "Growing and Stewarding Collards" webinar! ⁠ ⁠ Thanks to @seed_savers_exchange, we're giving away free seeds to the first 100 registrants. We are at 86 right now. ⁠ ⁠ Register ⁠ https://bit.ly/Collards-Webinar-IG⁠⁠ (or link in bio)⁠ ⁠ Growing collards brings about diversity in so many ways and the rewards are as enormous and abundant as this beautiful plant." data-recalc-dims="1">

MEET THE COLLARD SEED STEWARDS! This year we are

MEET THE COLLARD SEED STEWARDS!

This year we are partnering with 15 collard seed stewards around the country to help regenerate heirloom collard varieties from the @seed_savers_exchange collection!

Meet Teresa Youngblood! @lemonbalmer

Teresa learned how to grow collards from her fellow community gardeners at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida 15 years ago and has been growing collards ever since.

“I wanted to be part of the Collard Project to increase awareness of this truly wonderful food plant, and to carry forward the story of how seeds, and the people who select them, tell us who we were, who we are, and who we may yet be”

Thank you so much Teresa for growing with us this year! 🥬❤️

#heirloomcollards #seedsaving #biennials #collards

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="MEET THE COLLARD SEED STEWARDS! This year we are partnering with 15 collard seed stewards around the country to help regenerate heirloom collard varieties from the @seed_savers_exchange collection! Meet Teresa Youngblood! @lemonbalmer Teresa learned how to grow collards from her fellow community gardeners at Florida A&M in Tallahassee, Florida 15 years ago and has been growing collards ever since. “I wanted to be part of the Collard Project to increase awareness of this truly wonderful food plant, and to carry forward the story of how seeds, and the people who select them, tell us who we were, who we are, and who we may yet be” Thank you so much Teresa for growing with us this year! 🥬❤️ #heirloomcollards #seedsaving #biennials #collards" data-recalc-dims="1">

Collard seeds running through a #winnowwizard at @

Collard seeds running through a #winnowwizard at @gaiaherbs for @utopianseedproject

For many of us it's now time to be offering collards again for a fall/winter garden.

Are you planning a collard garden this year? What varieties are you planting?

#collards #gardening #planting #seedsaving #fallgardening

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Collard seeds running through a #winnowwizard at @gaiaherbs for @utopianseedproject For many of us it's now time to be offering collards again for a fall/winter garden. Are you planning a collard garden this year? What varieties are you planting? #collards #gardening #planting #seedsaving #fallgardening" data-recalc-dims="1">

Repost @utopianseedproject I want to introduce y

Repost @utopianseedproject

I want to introduce you to Debra and Tommy who are taking a seed growing course with @organic_seed_alliance. I have the privilege to be their regional mentor, but it feels like a three way collaboration and we are all learning from each other.

They both came out to our #experimentalfarm to help harvest the collard seed last week and later we'll hopefully run the threshed seed through @gaiaherbs Winnow Wizard (Tommy is the farm manager at Gaia!).

We harvested seed from all 21 openly pollinating varieties that we grew in partnership with the @heirloomcollards project. Our plan is to develop a super collard tolerant and diversely delicious WNC landrace!

#seedsaving #seedmentor #seedsovereignty #seeds #collards #landrace #heirloom #farmers #farming

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Repost @utopianseedproject I want to introduce you to Debra and Tommy who are taking a seed growing course with @organic_seed_alliance. I have the privilege to be their regional mentor, but it feels like a three way collaboration and we are all learning from each other. They both came out to our #experimentalfarm to help harvest the collard seed last week and later we'll hopefully run the threshed seed through @gaiaherbs Winnow Wizard (Tommy is the farm manager at Gaia!). We harvested seed from all 21 openly pollinating varieties that we grew in partnership with the @heirloomcollards project. Our plan is to develop a super collard tolerant and diversely delicious WNC landrace! #seedsaving #seedmentor #seedsovereignty #seeds #collards #landrace #heirloom #farmers #farming" data-recalc-dims="1">

#Repost @thecookinggene (@get_repost) ・・・ Ha

#Repost @thecookinggene (@get_repost)
・・・
Happy #nationalsoulfoodmonth
#collardgreens #TheCookinggene #highonthehog

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="#Repost @thecookinggene (@get_repost) ・・・ Happy #nationalsoulfoodmonth #collardgreens #TheCookinggene #highonthehog" data-recalc-dims="1">

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This project is run by a collaboration of organizing partners and collard lovers. Learn more and support their organizations:

<img src="https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="" title="Tusp logo final - color" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?w=1920&ssl=1 1920w, https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1 225w, https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?resize=1152%2C1536&ssl=1 1152w, https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?resize=1536%2C2048&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Tusp-logo-final-color.png?resize=1080%2C1440&ssl=1 1080w" sizes="(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" class="wp-image-25923" data-recalc-dims="1" />

<img src="https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo" title="southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo.jpg?w=474&ssl=1 474w, https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo.jpg?resize=284%2C300&ssl=1 284w, https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/southern-exposure-seed-exchange-logo.jpg?resize=171%2C180&ssl=1 171w" sizes="(max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px" class="wp-image-89" data-recalc-dims="1" />

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6864_Seed-Savers-Exchange-logo-SMALL.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="seed savers exchange logo" title="6864_Seed-Savers-Exchange-logo-SMALL" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6864_Seed-Savers-Exchange-logo-SMALL.png?w=973&ssl=1 973w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6864_Seed-Savers-Exchange-logo-SMALL.png?resize=300%2C105&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/6864_Seed-Savers-Exchange-logo-SMALL.png?resize=768%2C268&ssl=1 768w" sizes="(max-width: 973px) 100vw, 973px" class="wp-image-26213" data-recalc-dims="1" />

<img src="https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/logo.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="" title="logo" height="auto" width="auto" srcset="https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/logo.jpg?w=225&ssl=1 225w, https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/logo.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w" sizes="(max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px" class="wp-image-25925" data-recalc-dims="1" />

<img src="https://i1.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cbnlogo.jpg?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="" title="cbnlogo" height="auto" width="auto" class="wp-image-25924" data-recalc-dims="1" />