Joseph Lofthouse, Author

Grower Code: JL

Joseph Lofthouse subsistence farms in Paradise, Utah. He is a seedsman of the highest caliber. He is gracious enough to grow several varieties for the Snake River Seed Co-op, but more importantly, he’s keeping it interesting through his book. Landrace Gardening: Food Security through Biodiversity and Promiscuous Pollination. If you ever need the straight skinny on the most important thing we as seed savers can be doing for the future of agriculture, it’s good to spend a little time with someone like Joseph. While in so much of the seed world the focus is on “maintaining uniformity and varietal purity,” Joseph takes the opposite approach, allowing survival of the fittest selection within wildly crossing varieties to create robust and diverse landraces that provide greater resilience, variety, and delight than a standard, uniform variety. One of Joseph's most recent plant breeding projects is advocating for beautifully promiscuous and tasty tomatoes!

 

Wayne Marshall, Banbury Farm

Grower Code: BF

Wayne is a third generation Idaho farmer. He started Banbury Farm in 1980. The farm is located in the Snake River Canyon near Buhl, Idaho. It has ample gravity pressure spring water, deep fertile soil deposited by the Bonneville Flood 14,000 years ago and a warm microclimate. He primarily grows alfalfa hay with some oats, wheat and corn. He offers the corn varieties he stewards on seedwise.com and is gracious enough to work with us to offer several of them. They include Glass Gem, Rainbow Jewel Popcorn, Magic Manna, and Parching Starburst Manna, all offered through Snake River Seed Co-op.

 

Kendra Morgan, Drunken Sailor Farm

Grower Code: DS

Drunken Sailor Farm evolved from owner Kendra Morgan’s experiences of being a CSA member, then Intern, and finally employee of Earthly Delights Farm, working with and learning from Casey O’Leary intentionally about soil health, seed saving, plant sex, land access, and unintentionally about the value of place, community, positive work environments, and worker empowerment.
Be prepared- we take our name from our notorious “sailor’s mouths” and love of local beer and wine. You will likely experience both at some point down on the farm.
Through CSA memberships, Grow-Your-Own-CSA garden kits, and hands-on experiences, we aim to cultivate not only a relationship with the food and the earth it comes from, but also to connect people to their community and provide a deeper understanding of the interdependence of all involved.

 

 

 

 Kelsey Jae

Grower Code: KJ

Kelsey’s in love with her garden and started harvesting blue flax seeds for the SRSC after completing the Earthly Delights Farm Internship. Her home garden space includes a wide variety of desert & edible perennials, medicinal herbs, and annual veggies. She spends her professional time as a sustainable & collaborative economies attorney and co-owner of the apothecary, The Vervain Collective. She has years of experience building partnerships around energy, the environment, and sustainability while focusing on building community and support for local economies and purpose-driven ventures where people can enjoy meaningful livelihoods and create a more resilient economy.

Angus Hughes, Bluebird Forest Garden

Grower Code: AH

Angus is an Idaho-born mountain man who has always loved good food. He has been gardening or foraging one way or another most of his life. Angus lives in the costal disjunct rain-forest of northern Idaho where he has a small garden and orchard on his forested property. He is often found roaming the woods, finding mushrooms or berries and teaches wildcrafting as well. Angus has been involved in non-profits and cooperatives for several years and currently serves on the Snake River Seed Cooperative Board of Directors. He likes to build with natural building materials and old-fashioned techniques and plays bluegrass guitar in his spare time. Angus teaches sustainable living ways through the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms program, and is trying to form a land-based intentional community in his neighborhood. On his website, Bluebird Forest Garden Angus has described over one hundred native edible plants that he has found in the Clearwater River region.

 

James Duxbury, B and B Farms Kuna

Grower Code: BB

Implementing natural process farming methods which includes berries, roots, veggies and wine grapes on over 5 acres in Kuna, Idaho. James recently introduced the Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin variety to the seed co-op. Visit their social media page for more information.

 

 

 

Brennan Henry Allsworth, Winnower Farm

Grower Code: WF

Brennan Henry, and team, of Winnower Farm grow in the Dry Creek Valley, just north of Boise. We grew a diverse array of vegetables, grains, and flowers. We are particularly obsessed with the beauty of grains, in the field and the oven, all while enjoying the many facets of the agrarian bounties and labors. We look forward to promoting and stewarding a bountiful regional seedshed.

 

 

Erin McLaughlin, Butterfield Farms

Grower Code: BU

Butterfield Farms is a small family farm (or is it a large family garden?) located on 2 1/2 acres of historic property in downtown Weiser. Christopher and Erin McLaughlin grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers using sustainable practices without chemicals. Their favorite seed crop that they grow for SRSC is buckwheat, which Erin is always tempted to shear by the handful for cut flower arrangements. Thankfully, she restrains herself and SRSC is able to offer the seeds to its customers. (You're welcome)

Rich Felton

Grower Code: RF

Avid life long gardener, inspired by multiple generations of family. Spent the majority of my life in the high altitude of Wyoming where I started saving seeds in hopes of improving plant hardiness year over year. Over the years I have attempted to grow a little of everything, failing multiple times on long season varieties. But I continually try to improve to show others it can be done no matter where you live. 

 

Kristi Appelhans

Grower Code: KA

Kristi Appelhans is the president of the Idaho Falls Community Garden Association, where she helps coordinate multiple community gardens around the city. A longtime seed saver and avid home gardener, Kristi has introduced Snake River Seed Cooperative to multiple exciting rare tomato varieties, many of which have become beloved Co-op favorites, including Dr. Carolyn cherry tomatoes, Holy Myrrhbearers, Paul Robeson, and Hill Marmandes.

Dana Rassmussen, Fellowship Farms

Grower Code: FF

Dana grows large quantities of organic certified beans and peas on his farm in Paul, Idaho. Dana's seed crops include Provider Bean, Rocdor Bean, Royal Burgundy Bean, Sugar Snap Pea, Oregon Sugar Pod II Pea, Green Arrow Pea, and Blizzard Snow Pea, plus more.

 

Julie Sheen and Tyler Pratt, Giving Ground Farm

Grower Code: GG

We are a family farm run by Julie Sheen and Tyler Pratt. We grow organic seeds, produce, and flowers just north of Pocatello in fertile Snake River valley soil. By using natural methods of pest control including row cover and diverse plantings, we keep our produce chemical-free. We strive to steward an agricultural-ecosystem on our farm, encouraging predators of pest insects through habitat which attracts them. Seeds are sold at market and online, and we specialize in year round abundance in short season climates. All varieties are grown on our farm and are adapted to mature in short seasons, store well, or have some amount of frost tolerance.  Soil fertility is provided by composted plant material and composted manure from our animals, and organic nutrient and mineral amendments we mix ourselves. Minimal tillage and a winter cover-cropping program help us maintain our soil's natural excellent tilth. Animals are a necessary part of our sustainable farm system. We raise grass-fed beef, dairy goats, chickens, and honeybees. We love growing food and helping grow local sustainable food systems!

 

Jessica McAleese and Jeremy Shreve, Swift River Farm

Grower Code: SR

Nestled in the heart of Idaho, we are committed to organic and sustainable farming methods, which build, empower, and support our region's food system, from farm to fork.  Swift River Farm is a small, but diverse vegetable farm, run by Jeremy Shreve and Jessica McAleese.  Growing over 100+ varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers, we work hard to create dynamic and enduring partnerships between our farm and our community.  While Swift River Farm is regionally known for our organic culinary garlic, seed stock, and garlic braids/bouquets, we also grow many varieties of regionally adapted vegetable and flower seeds. For more information, visit their website, facebook, or instagram page. 

 

Winniford Family Farm

Grower Code: WI

We are a diversified farm located in NE WA state in the Northern Columbia River region. We are a husband & wife team (Andrew and Kristine Winniford) but you’ll often find our 5 children helping in the garden. We grow a wide variety of crops including seed garlic, aromatic herbs and flowers, and always lots of vegetables and perennial berries. We sell our premium seed garlic through our website Mountain Valley Garlic and are happy to have SRSC offer our garlic through the co-op. Our fresh herbs are either distilled in our on-farm distillery or sold to other organic distillers where they become lovely hydrosols used in cosmetics, kitchens, and aromatherapy. We love to grow vegetables and grow most of our own food. We always grow too much and work in different ways to share with our community. We hope that our work with Snake River Seed Cooperative will enable more gardeners and farmers to participate in our region food shed, utilizing seeds that are adapted to our unique region.

 

Sage River and Family, Oasis Homestead

Grower Code: OH

Sage River and his family have been growing a variety of things for many years.  They use only organic/non spray practices, partly to help their bees and all the other creatures that partake of their land in South West Nampa. He has a bit of a permaculture addiction and tries to plant, water and harvest something each day that he can. They are looking forward to contributing to the seed shed of our region in whatever ways possible!

 

 

Carrie Jones  

Carrie Jones grows a garden at Draggin' Wing Farm in Boise, Idaho, and loves being able to grow seeds for Snake River Seed Cooperative. She's been part of the cooperative since the beginning, and is thrilled to witness it growing into a truly grower owned organization that benefits growers, customers, and our whole bioregion. Her favorite seed crop is a tomato of mysterious origins now called cuore di capra (heart of the goat) which she introduced to SRSC early on, and which she would like to dedicate to Leah and Mica, the best goats.

Marcus Intinarelli and Rebecca Woollett, Thompson Creek Farm

Grower Code: TC

My partner Becca and I run a small ¾ acre certified organic biodiverse vegetable farm. We practice many biodynamic principals along with various natural farming methods. We also specialize in heirloom and open pollinated crops. We mainly distribute our produce through a local CSA program, a farmer’s market and to a few restaurants. We started the farm in late 2016 after returning home from a 10-month internship on a certified organic seed farm in southern Oregon. Our hope is to eventually expand our organic seed production and make that the priority here at Thompson Creek Farm. 

Montana Survival Seed

Grower Code: MH 

Montana Survival Seed is located in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. I love seeds b/c they are genetic dreams which hold stories and experiences from the past.  All life is a seed, comes from a seed, and wants to make more seed. I wild harvest a good amount of native seeds, harvest natives from the mountain garden or from the land here at home, or harvest from surrounding areas near the mountain hideaway. I also tend a seed farm at the Missoula Grain and Vegetable Company in Stevensville, MT.  They are a farm of bad azz and hard working folk who love to get food to the peoples. I tend a good amount of land...about 10,000 square feet all worked by my hands and hand tools...no dinosaur farts or tractors help with my seed farm.  I incorporate lots of chemical-free cow compost into the land to help our earthworm and fungi friends feast. 

Lesley Juel and Andy Query, Quel Ranch

Grower Code: QR

We share our land with four goats (Delmar pictured here), a hearty flock of hens, and countless other animals such as ducks, owls, snakes, skunks, rabbits, and the occasional marmot. We grow herbs and flowers for our Happy Hen Nesting Blends (herbs for backyard chickens) which is available on our Etsy page. We love growing fruit, veggies, and flowers and are delighted to be a seed growing member of Snake River Seed Co-op. When we're not tending to our animals and crops, Andy enjoys building and repairing guitars and ukuleles, and Lesley enjoys creating handmade crafts.

David Lau, Redtail Seeds

Grower Code: RS

Although I’ve been growing vegetables for over a decade until a few years ago I thought little of seeds and their stories. Now I feel perpetually drawn towards the rich stories and traditions associated with seed work. Red-tail seeds is the latest chapter in my farming journey and is my first foray into running my own operation. Nestled in the corner of an established vegetable farm in Missoula my small plot allows me to explore the process of growing seeds and contribute in some way towards developing regional seed sources. I am eager to discover where this path may lead and learn from the wisdom of more experienced seed practitioners. Beyond the fences of the farm, I spend as much time as possible wandering through the forests, camping, and of course thoroughly enjoy wintertime skiing and playing hockey.

Erika Greenwell, Tenacity Farm

Grower Code: EG 

I have been tiny farming for about 25 years. 3 years ago I felt the need to downsize what I was doing; too much water, too much work to grow for just me and my partner. I started growing for birds, bees and butterflies. With the chance to grow seeds for Snake River Seeds I feel like I am getting to grow for 1000’s.

Boise Urban Garden School 

Grower Code: BG

The Boise Urban Garden School (BUGS) is a specialized, inquiry-based education organization. We strive to provide students with unique learning experiences by utilizing an organic garden setting. We know that a student who is able to dig in the soil, plant a seed and watch it grow will be excited to eat the fruits of their labor and will better understand the science behind a sprouting seed or the process of photosynthesis. 

Teresa Bruffey Kaufman, Sly Owl Ranch

Grower Code: SO 

Sly Owl Ranch is a mini farm nestled in the hills above the South Fork of the Payette River. On our very steep mountainside, we farm in a series of south facing, sun-loving terraces and a 4-season greenhouse. We grow and save Feverfew and Hillbilly tomato seeds, and also wild harvest Arrowleaf Balsamroot seed from plants growing native on our property for the coop. In addition to plants for seed, we grow a wide variety of veggies and flowers to sell at the Crouch Farmers Market, along with SRSC seeds, plants, and eggs from our happy chickens. Surrounded by ponderosa forest, we operate sustainably with the natural surroundings working alongside deer, elk, myriad insects (yay, pollinators!), skunks, and frogs. If you plan to visit the Garden Valley area for rafting, hiking, snowshoeing, or other outdoor activities, we invite you to stay at our cozy, secluded yurt.

 William Schlegel and Family

Grower Code: WS 

William Schlegel is an educator, botanist, and gardener. As an educator he loves to teach students about botany, plant breeding, seeds, and the natural world. As a botanist he is fascinated by the conservation of plants and the effects of climate change on sustainable food systems. He sees plant breeding as a way citizen scientists can help adapt their communities to climate change. He has contributed several new varieties to the Snake River Seed catalogue and is working on more. He has ten isolation gardens spread over eight acres near Ronan MT where he grows breeding projects of tomatoes, corn, squash, and fava beans. Aimee Schlegel also a botanist grows cut flower seeds, Both Aimee and William grow native wildflowers. Theodore Schlegel usually grows watermelons with William and is now five.

Alison Ward, Downtown Teaching Farm - Boise High School 

Grower Code: BH

The Downtown Teaching Farm is an outdoor classroom and community garden tended by the students and teachers at Boise High School in Downtown Boise, in partnership with neighbors and school families.  With a focus on soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience, this teaching farm has been working to rehabilitate the vacant block between 11th and 12th on Fort Street in Boise’s North End for the past 10 growing seasons.  The students and staff at Boise High are very excited to build seed harvest for the SRSC into our existing practice of seed saving and sharing in our seed library.

Gregg Batt, Ogden Seed Exchange

Grower Code: GB

I am an experienced Seedsman and grow on a small 1-acre home and farm plot. This little farm provides a lot of what we eat. I attended Seed School with Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance. I grow with a deep mulch no-till methodology and use no chemical pesticides or herbicides in drip irrigated grow beds, better than most current conventional organic regulations.

Gregg also organizes the annual Ogden Seed Exchange!

  Brad Jaeckel and Family, Orchard Farm

Grower Code: OR

Orchard Farm was established in 2004 on the site of the original farm at the end of Orchard Avenue on the north side of Moscow.  It is a small farm (1.3 acres) with enough room for about ½ acre of gardens and fruit trees.  The gardens are primarily used for cut flowers, herbs, and botanicals used in Orchard Farm Soap, our family business.  We have enough room to grow a few extra special crops for seed each year. For more details, visit our website, facebook, or instagram.

Jen Zissou and Family, Ribier Gardens

Grower Code: RG 

We are a small, family-run farm in Meridian, Idaho, committed to bringing our customers the most wholesome produce and beautiful flowers in the Treasure Valley. We sell a wide variety of heirloom and non-GMO fruits, seeds, vegetables, and nuts, in addition to cut flowers. We respect and take care of our land, soil, and water to ensure that the food you eat is tasty, nutritious, and environmentally friendly. Our products are available seasonally at the Boise Farmers Market, the Boise Co-op,  and at your local floral designer and sustainably-minded restaurants.

Ana Sigler, Plum Shed Seeds

Grower Code: PL

I have been learning about plants and how to grow them for much of my life. However, I started studying them for my Conservation Biology degree at Kent State University in Ohio in 2007. I went on to grow and care for them in multiple capacities before finally settling into my current home in Sandpoint, Idaho. My passion is in exploring native plants and how to best care for my landscape. I treat my garden like an ecological restoration project. There is a lot of thought and care that goes into the plants I choose and my long-term goals for our little lot. I’ve mostly recently been enjoying growing all sorts of flowers because they bring me joy as well as the many varieties of pollinators that visit our yard.

Maija Baehr, Mielikki’s

Grower Code: MI

Maija started working the soil in her Boise garden in 2017; like many, what started as a hobby became an obsession, and seed-related pursuits are now her full-time gig. She has since founded Mielikki’s with the goal of cultivating perennials native/adapted to the Treasure Valley to rehabilitate pollinator habitat and populations. She hopes to serve as an additional local source of education and support for those adding native, xeric, drought-tolerant, and other beneficial plants to their landscape. Mielikki’s first perennial seed crop for SRSC will be hesperaloe parviflora grown from seed collected from her neighbor (may no viable seed go to waste!). To learn more, visit @Mielikkis on Facebook or Instagram.

Ted Kovarik, Sonshine Acres

Grower Code: SA

Sonshine Acres is a homestead-style ranch located in the Valley of Plenty, Emmett Idaho. We grow market gardens as well as for us and our animals. We raise our own animals which helps to produce our own manure based compost. Ted has completed the Veteran farming program, “Harvest Heroes” through the University of Idaho. We also have a ministry aspect by providing “Blessing Baskets” to those in need.

Colby Moe

Grower Code: CM

I’m a hobby grower in Boise. Enjoy contributing how I’m able. I support, and acknowledge the importance of having a network and source for bio regionally produced seeds. Respect, admire, and am thankful for all the work that S.R.S.C. puts forth to provide us with such a valuable resource.

Native Seeds

Grower Code: NS

Native Seeds is a group of wildcrafters around Utah and Idaho. They collect and clean seeds from native plants in our region. Their crops include Showy Milkweed, Bee Plants, and Penstemons.

Buds Blossoms & Bouquets

Grower Code: BD

Lavender and flower farm in Ontario, Oregon
www.BudsBlossomsandBouquets.com

Black Fox Farm

Grower Code: BL

I’m a small scale bio-intensive micro farm. I strive to grow organically produce products free of all chemicals and pesticides. I believe strong communities are center around local food. My mission is to grow healthy organic produce and seeds for the greater Treasure valley and continue using only sustainable agricultural practices. My farm is located in the Dry Creek valley just outside of Boise. My Instagram is blackfoxfarmfresh and my email is blackfoxfarmfresh@gmail.com

Jana and Geoffrey Yockey, Garlic Gods

 

Helen Brookman, Seedster

Grower Code: SS

Helen is a Master Gardener and a longtime seed saver in Boise, Idaho. She is an avid backyard gardener, some seasons growing in her own yard, her elderly neighbor’s, and two different community garden plots. Though small in scale, her impact on the co-op is huge. As a librarian, Helen has a penchant for researching rare varieties and then trialing them in one of her gardens. When she thinks something is promising, she’ll share it with us in the co-op. Over the years, Helen has grown a HUGE range of crops for us, from her Canyon County Fair Grand Prize-winning: Tuxana Sweet corn (pictured in the photo above) to Cocozelle Zucchini, Marketmore Cucumbers, zinnias, tons of flowers and tomatoes, and so much more! She routinely offers seed saving classes through the public library system and through the Master Gardeners.

 

 

James and Leslee Reed, Onsen Farm

Grower Code: OF

Onsen, which means “healing hot springs” in Japanese has the good fortune to have a unique resource of 130 degree geothermal artesian water which enables them to grow produce all winter in 5 high tunnel greenhouses in Buhl, Idaho. They have a winter CSA, sell online through Idaho’s Bounty, and supply produce to restaurants and boutique grocers, all while growing seeds for SRSC. They grow organically in the soil and with aquaponics. Onsen Farm‘s mission/vision is to create a model of a permaculture based way of living by using sustainable and ethical practices in raising healthy food for vibrant people.

Fiddlers Green Farm

Grower Code: FI

Fiddler’s Green Farm is a small, diverse, Certified Organic farm located in the Dry Creek Valley just outside of Boise, Idaho. They grow a wide variety of vegetables and cut flowers for Boise's markets. They believe in building community through people’s connection with food. You can find their products at The Boise Farmers Market, the Boise Co-op, and many Boise restaurants and flower shops.

 

Diane Jones, Draggin' Wing High Desert Nursery

Grower Code: DD

A self-proclaimed “plant nut”, Diane is the owner/operator of Draggin’ Wing High Desert Nursery which produces a wide array of Idaho native and locally adapted water-thrifty plants for landscaping. Her nursery and seed saving garden are both located in Boise, Idaho. Most plants are hardy perennials, along with a handful of colorful native annuals. She focuses on low-maintenance, low-water, pollinator-friendly landscape plants.

Sherry Hession and David Sheppard, Freezone Farm

Grower Code: FZ

We started "Freezone Farm" because we have been seed saving (David for about 35 years, Sherry about 10 years) and decided to attempt to recover some of our annual cost and to create a better opportunity to spread heritage vegetable varieties around the Inland Northwest. We had about 150 varieties in our seed collection, which includes 26 potatoes and 22 garlic. We devoted most of the garden to trials with new (heirloom) varieties and to grow out our existing collection in order to maintain fresh seed. We always used organic practices (we've been on our property since 2010), maintaining the Certified Organic standards of the WSDA for 2 years. Though we have fully retired from this business we still garden.

  

 

Dusty Perkins and students, College of Western Idaho - Biology Club

Grower Code: CW

The College of Western Idaho native plant display is a living exhibition that showcases many plants of the Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains. Located in Nampa, Idaho, the primary purpose of the display is to educate the public about the remarkable plants that have adapted to the unique climate conditions of this region. The display further serves as a demonstration of how native plants can be used to create attractive, low-maintenance and water-wise landscaping that enhances natural biodiversity. The garden is home to events that include the CWI Native plant sale (mid-April), Native plant and seed cleaning workshops (Fall) and routine service learning events.