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

#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">

Thanks to @seed_savers_exchange for their ongoing

Thanks to @seed_savers_exchange for their ongoing variety preservation work 💜

Here are some Nancy Malone Wheat Purple Collards. Grown offsite by Chris Inhulsen and packed by Seed Bank Inventory Technician, Sydney. Stored safely in our seed bank but available via the Exchange in 2022!

#collards #heirloomcollards #heirloom #purplecollard #seedsaving #seesdpreservation

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Thanks to @seed_savers_exchange for their ongoing variety preservation work 💜 Here are some Nancy Malone Wheat Purple Collards. Grown offsite by Chris Inhulsen and packed by Seed Bank Inventory Technician, Sydney. Stored safely in our seed bank but available via the Exchange in 2022! #collards #heirloomcollards #heirloom #purplecollard #seedsaving #seesdpreservation" data-recalc-dims="1">

#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost) ・・・ Spend

#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost)
・・・
Spending time in the Collards! From the 2020 trial 3 varieties were saved for seed. Here I am in the Blue Collard varietys. The seeds will be a cross between Old Timey Blue and Tabitha Dykes. Looking forward to what may come of this.
Photo credit 📷 M.E. @m.e.thephd #HeirloomCollardProject

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost) ・・・ Spending time in the Collards! From the 2020 trial 3 varieties were saved for seed. Here I am in the Blue Collard varietys. The seeds will be a cross between Old Timey Blue and Tabitha Dykes. Looking forward to what may come of this. Photo credit 📷 M.E. @m.e.thephd #HeirloomCollardProject" data-recalc-dims="1">

Amazing opportunity to support and develop black,

Amazing opportunity to support and develop black, indigenous and farmers of color.

#Repost @braidingseedsfellowship (@get_repost)
・・・
Apply at this page: https://www.soulfirefarm.org/food-sovereignty-education/immersion/fellowship/

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="Amazing opportunity to support and develop black, indigenous and farmers of color. #Repost @braidingseedsfellowship (@get_repost) ・・・ Apply at this page: https://www.soulfirefarm.org/food-sovereignty-education/immersion/fellowship/" data-recalc-dims="1">

#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost) ・・・ In 20

#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost)
・・・
In 2020 growers across the US participated in the #HeirloomCollardProject @heirloomcollards where they and I grew heirloom collard varieties. The PNW had 4 growers who grew out all 20 varieties! Read this article to learn more about this cooperative endeavor. Link available in my bio. #YearOfTheCollard

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="#Repost @melbelle206 (@get_repost) ・・・ In 2020 growers across the US participated in the #HeirloomCollardProject @heirloomcollards where they and I grew heirloom collard varieties. The PNW had 4 growers who grew out all 20 varieties! Read this article to learn more about this cooperative endeavor. Link available in my bio. #YearOfTheCollard" data-recalc-dims="1">

#Repost @utopianseedproject (@get_repost)
・・・
Most of the collards are at various stages of bolting. Collards have perfect flowers but are self incompatible, meaning they are obligate outcrossers - their genetics WILL get mixed up. This could be within a variety if you just have one planted, or in our case, with 21 varieties, there is a high chance of a large scale mashup! These collards have survived the winter with no protection (with some pretty cold nights - 8F low). So we're going to save the seeds of the survivors as the first step towards a WNC Landrace.

@heirloomcollards

#collards #heirloomcollardsproject #landrace #breeding #farming

<img src="https://i2.wp.com/heirloomcollards.org/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png?w=1080&ssl=1" alt="#Repost @utopianseedproject (@get_repost) ・・・ Most of the collards are at various stages of bolting. Collards have perfect flowers but are self incompatible, meaning they are obligate outcrossers - their genetics WILL get mixed up. This could be within a variety if you just have one planted, or in our case, with 21 varieties, there is a high chance of a large scale mashup! These collards have survived the winter with no protection (with some pretty cold nights - 8F low). So we're going to save the seeds of the survivors as the first step towards a WNC Landrace. @heirloomcollards #collards #heirloomcollardsproject #landrace #breeding #farming" 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" />