Portraits: Rodger Winn, Heirloom Seed Preserver

Acquiring fresh vegetables outside of the grocery store has become more popular in recent years as people recognize the benefits. Shopping for fresh goods at the local farmer’s market brings us a little closer to what things used to be like, but vegetables have changed over the years. It’s up to seed savers to bring back the organic produce of the past.

Through his business, Rodger’s Heirlooms, South Carolina native Rodger Winn produces seeds of heirloom varieties that he provides to many different seed companies and for preservation. Without his methods, many varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers would be lost in time.

“There’s a lot more diversity, there’s a lot more choice than what you have going to the seed store and buying seeds today.”

For Rodger, it’s not just about preserving the vegetables, but the stories he collects along the way.

“It’s nice to have a story attached…because you can relive that.”

In the Midlands of South Carolina, where he calls home, he’s known as the Tomato Man. It’s an appropriate title for the seed saver as he’s known for his heirloom variety tomatoes, which he says have a stronger flavor than the ones found in stores.

“Heirloom varieties of vegetables have so much more flavor than our modern hybrids.”

Rodger encourages home gardeners to grow something they can’t find in the store and hopes people will take a look at their heirloom seed suppliers for things they’ve never seen before.

“Plant something different, something unique…I think most people will find they will much rather have the heirloom varieties than what they find at the grocery store.”

For more information about Rodger’s Heirlooms, visit the Southern Exposure Seed Exchange website.

This episode was filmed by Leon Guanzon and art is by Matthew Gillin.