On Sunday, the 26^th, the group visited the Seed Saver Exchange (SSE), which is located in Decorah, Iowa. The mission of SSE is to “save and share heirloom seeds.” Organizations such as SSE organization are essential to maintaining biodiversity. Since 1975, the organization has served as a repository for a host of seeds. Many of the seeds preserved at SSE were passed down for generations giving them leading to generic family names like “Grandma’s sunflowers”. SSE’s founder, Diane Ott Wheatley’s inspiration for the organization was her father’s Morning Glories that had been handed down I her family for several generations. At SSE, there are several staff members who evaluate the seeds that have been sent to the organization. Adding a seed to SSE’s collection entails a fairly lengthy process of weeding out seeds not needed or wanted. In one year, 70 seeds were donated, but SSE only took six! While there, Grant (in charge of education) showed us around their freezing seed room containing thousands of species. As long as SSE keeps the seeds cold (40 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees F in a long term room) and with no humidity, they will not sprout. Some seeds have been there for over thirty years! The Seed Saver Exchange was incredibly cool because up until this point, we have been learning and discussing about genetically modified plants. But preserving old varieties is equally as important for genetic biodiversity. I really enjoyed this outing because I firmly believe our monoculture society will catch up to us potentially causing problems in our near future.