By Blake Jackson
The 2025 Appalachian Heirloom Seed Swap in Eastern Kentucky celebrated 15 years of preserving agricultural traditions and helping communities recover from weather challenges.
Organized by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension, the event brought together farmers, gardeners, and the public to share heirloom seeds and farming stories.
Emily Davis, agricultural extension agent, emphasized the event’s mission. “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,” she said.
The seed swap was born after the 2010 floods in Eastern Kentucky that devastated farms and nearly wiped out rare crops like the Heirloom Cushaw squash.
Joyce Pinson, one of the founders, recalled starting the event at her kitchen table and welcoming 150 participants in its first year.
Today, the seed swap is nationally recognized, offering workshops, vendor booths, and community connections. Attendees exchanged seeds, learned about soil care, and explored how local agriculture strengthens resilience.
Pinson and her husband, Charlie, remain active in the event. Charlie emphasized the importance of young people stepping up. “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,” he said.
The event showcases how community support, education, and tradition keep agriculture thriving. It’s held annually on the first Saturday of April at Pike Central High School.
To explore more Cooperative Extension programs in Kentucky, visit extension.ca.uky.edu.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Crops