Photo of Ira by Bill Phelps/Casey Creative

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Southern Exposure offers more than 700+ varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, grain and cover crop seeds. Their offering emphasizes Southern heirlooms as well as outstanding newer open pollinated varieties selected for pest and disease resistance as well as flavor—very important—and that perform well in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Some heirloom varieties have not available anywhere else and have been grown and preserved by a single families or small communities that have faithfully worked to ensure these crops are available for future generations. Gardeners and farmers from all over the country grow their seeds. They work with a network of 70+ and growing small farms as well as university plant breeders to offer newly selected open-pollinated varieties. Get a copy of the catalog, loads of information on gardening and seed saving and—of course—to order your heirloom organic seeds.

Barn 2 Door is passionate about helping farmers build more resilient businesses. They provide farmers with the software, services, and resources to grow and manage their business. Your farm can earn 70% or more in recurring motnly revenue by selling subscriptions to your products online. Farms that provide convenient ordering and delivery options reach more buyers and make more money. Data shows farmers can double revenue when they offer online subscriptions and direct delivery. Barn 2 Door powers farmers who sell direct, helping them increase sales, access more local customers, and save time.

Ira Wallace and Mary of the Acorn Community and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in Mineral, Virginia, folks. In disclosure, they are sponsors of the show, but that’s not why they’re here. They’re also an intentional community growing not just food, but also seed crops for Southern Exposure and—on top of that—manage the seed business which contracts with over 70+ seed producers. We get into how the community began, shout out to Twin Oaks who Farmer Jesse interviewed for No-Till Market Garden, community life and decision making, and details about their awesome seed company.

Also mentioned in the show:
The Federation of Egalitarian Communities
On Conflict & Consensus