Agricultural News
Cherokee Nation Heirloom Garden and Native Plant Site Announces 2022 SeedBank Offerings
Thu, 03 Feb 2022 11:34:13 CST
The Cherokee Nation Heirloom Garden and Native Plant Site is pleased to announce the 2022 SeedBank offerings. The SeedBank's genetic stock has been replenished and they have an inventory of excess seeds available for our citizens. As to what seems to be a bit of a recurring theme, the past growing season was both challenging and difficult. Even with a few total crop failures, our SeedBank Staff was able to harvest a large amount of seed from most crops (and they added a few new varieties as well); they will be able to offer a good variety of seeds this year. These seeds provide a great opportunity for Cherokees to continue the traditions of our ancestors and elders, as well as educate our youth in Cherokee culture. Items in our seed bank are rare cultivars and generally not commercially available. These plants represent centuries of Cherokee cultural/agricultural history.
Available seeds for 2022 include:
HEIRLOOM CROPS
Corn (Zea mays):
1. Cherokee Colored Flour - a large flour corn
2. Cherokee White Flour - a large flour corn
3. Cherokee White Eagle - a dent corn
Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
4. Cherokee Long Greasy (a small, white, & "glossy" bean)
5. Turkey Gizzard Black (a large black & white bean)
6. Turkey Gizzard Brown (a large brown & white bean)
Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata)
7. Cherokee Tan Pumpkin
Gourds (Lagenaria siceraria)
8. Basket
9. Dipper
10. Buffalo Gourds (Cucurbita foetidissima)
Trail of Tears Beads
11. Indian Corn Beads (Coix lacrima)
Tobacco
12. Native Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) - ceremonial tobacco, not smoking tobacco and restricted to those at least 18 years of age.
NATIVE PLANTS
13. American Basket Flower
14. Buttonbush
15. Compass Plant
16. Cutleaf Coneflower (Cochanny)
17. Green Dragon
18. Hearts-a-Burstin
19. Jewelweed
20. New Jersey Tea
21. Passionflower
22. Possum Grape
23. Purple Coneflower
24. Rattlesnake Master
25. Sunchoke
26. Trumpet Vine
27. Wild Senna
It is important to preserve the rare genetics of the above "heirlooms," so, if you receive seeds, please be mindful of the directions in the planting guide. Any variance from these instructions could result in hybridization and loss of the plants' genetic integrity. All of the "native plants" are local to the Cherokee Nation and would make an excellent addition to any garden/landscape. These seeds have been produced locally in the Cherokee Nation by trained staff and are made available to Cherokee Nation citizens for cultural uses. This seed stock is not to be sold or offered for sale. The Cherokee Nation has developed a dedicated website that will ease and speed the ordering process. To request seeds on Feb. 7, 2022, please follow these instructions:
1. Visit: https://secure.cherokee.org/seedbank
2. Create an account and follow the instructions to place and track your order
3. Please submit any questions to seedbank@cherokee.org or 918-453-5336
Remember, the Cherokee Nation has only a limited supply of these rare seeds. They may not be able to grant every request. Seed recipients are limited to two varieties (only one variety of corn and gourds due to hybridization issues). The Cherokee Nation appreciates your interest in this cultural seed project. The propagation and cultivation of these rare plants is the only way to assure their genetic preservation and a vital component of Cherokee history. Thank you for your participation.
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