Rooted in relief: Appalachian Heirloom Seed Swap preserves history, helps local communities recover

PIKEVILLE, Ky. (May 19, 2025) — “Every seed has a story,” said Emily Davis, agricultural and natural resources extension agent at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE) and Cooperative Extension Service.

In response to the weather elements that have impacted many across Kentucky this year, hundreds of people gathered recently at the 2025 Appalachian Heirloom Seed Swap. The event aimed to preserve Eastern Kentucky’s agricultural heritage — helping local farmers, gardeners and the public rebuild through saving, sharing seeds and stories.

Facilitated by Davis, along with other extension agents at the Pike County Extension Office and Pike County Master Gardeners, the event provided a space where community members and vendors could save, buy, trade and share heirloom seeds. In addition, participants were able to learn more about how plant seeds continue to fuel and feed their communities through conversations and workshops.

“By sharing seeds and seed-saving knowledge, we can ensure that heirloom varieties are not lost and that our communities can recover stronger than ever,” Davis said. 

Seed Swap founding 

In July 2010, floods devastated towns and communities in Eastern Kentucky — destroying the Heirloom Cushaw, a popular winter squash with a mild, sweet flavor, grown for generations in Kentucky.

Joyce Pinson, UK agricultural economics alum and one of the original founders of Seed Swap, recalled this sitting around her kitchen table on her farm in Pike County, thinking what it could mean to possibly lose these valuable seeds.

“If we lose them, it’s on us,” Pinson said. “We decided to do our own seed swap at a small, local farmers market. We expected about 50 people to show, but we had 150 that first year.”

The Appalachian Heirloom Seed Swap has been growing and continuing a rich tradition ever since.

“Today, it’s a nationally recognized event — bringing together farmers, gardeners, and seed savers from all over Kentucky and beyond,” Davis said.

Pinson, who still lives on the same family farm in Pike County, shared how popular the event has become since it began as an idea in her kitchen. 

“It’s really important to Appalachia, and it’s now one of the premier seed swaps east of the Mississippi,” said Pinson, who also facilitated a seed saving 101 discussion at the event.

Why seed saving matters

Events like Seed Swap are another testament to extension’s commitment to improving lives and building thriving communities. Furthermore, it shows Kentuckians’ resiliency.

“Eastern Kentucky communities are rooted in helping one another,” Davis said. “We are preserving food security and sustainability and demonstrating our care for one another.”

For Davis, saving seeds is important for the current and future generations.

“Families in Appalachia have been passing down seeds for generations,” Davis said. “Saving seeds protect rare and heirloom plants. It’s helping farmers and gardeners grow food suited to our land and keeping our Appalachian traditions alive for years to come.”

Joyce’s husband Charlie Pinson, another of the original Seed Swap co-founders, shared the importance of the next generation doing their part in saving these heirloom seeds.

“These seeds and their original flavor can’t be replaced,” he said. “We are now seeing more younger people attending these events and participating as seed vendors, which is exciting. They will be the ones to carry this forward — it’s all about taking ownership.” 

The event continues to be held annually on the first Saturday in April at Pike Central High School.

To learn more about the Cooperative Extension Service programs, events and services in all 120 Kentucky counties, visit https://extension.ca.uky.edu.