We have launched Slow Food Asheville’s Heritage Food Project, an annual celebration of agricultural biodiversity, gardening education, seed saving, flavor, and community.
This year we are highlighting Aunt Hettie’s Red Okra, a variety valued for its flavor and beauty. We are working closely with the Utopian Seed Project, a WNC organization that has researched and grown many varieties of okra in its efforts to develop a “regional seed hub” that supports a strong local food system.
How will it work this summer? We share thousands of seeds to community groups and home gardeners. Then we all plant, tend, grow, and eat Aunt Hettie’s red okra throughout the summer! We will be checking in with people to hear about and share our gardening stories and culinary adventures!
If you’re a home gardener who wants to participate, you can find the seeds, while supplies last, at the following places:
— The RAD Farmers Market, Wednesdays, May 6th & 13th — 3-6
— Mars Hill Farmers and Artisans Market, Saturday, May 16th, 10-1
If you’ve gotten seeds and plan to participate in Okra 2020 this summer, please fill out this form so we can keep track of the project. We will send email updates throughout the summer!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhqyHOWcEuOBFhGVcOKVzbiFZQcNY4l7IKJQ-aSq_DbEo5VQ/viewform