Heritage Harvest Festival: Old Timey Seed Swap

Heritage Harvest Festival Offers Workshops and More

It's called an "Old timey seed swap," and every year it attracts thousands of visitors. A festival with both feet firmly planted in the past, the Heritage Harvest Festival not only offers heritage seed swaps but classes, too! Speakers from across the US lend their knowledge about important topics and trends in heritage gardening. Here are just some of the classes offered:

• The Cooking Gene: A Journey through African-American Culinary History in the Old South
• The Chinese Kitchen Garden
• A Rich Spot of Earth – Thomas Jefferson’s Revolutionary Garden
• The Early Spices of Appalachia
• The Four Season Garden

The Old Timey Seed Swap

Legendary seed savers like Rodger Winn, Pat Brodowski, specialty gardener at Monticello, and Ira Wallace, co-founder of the festival and a worker/owner of Southern Seed Exposure will be on hand. All levels of seed savers are welcome so bring your heirloom seeds, share your own knowledge and enthusiasm for heritage gardening.

Historic Children's Games and Tent Tasting for Food Lovers!

The Heritage Harvest Festival also offers a variety of activities, some for kids and some for adults. Kids can roll hoops and play games that were part of the lives of children during Jefferson's time. There's also a petting zoo from Foxboro Farms. Kids can meet a miniature donkey and horse, goats, pot-bellied pigs, guinea pigs, rabbits, ducks, and chickens. For adults, the food tasting tent awaits! This year, you'll find dozens of varieties of vine-ripened heirloom tomatoes, melons and peppers, all from the trail gardens from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. And don't forget to see the 18th and 19th-century display of apple presses, peelers, and cider mills. You can even try your hand at using this equipment.

Heritage Chocolate!

Yes, even chocolate gets in on the act! You can taste authentic historic chocolate made only with ingredients available during Jefferson's time! But here's the best part. The Inn at Monticello is located only two miles from Monticello, where the festival is held! Book your stay with us and enjoy a fun-filled day that  Jefferson himself would appreciate!