About us
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is a small cooperative seed companyspecializing in organic open-pollinated and heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds. We are a worker owned and run company with a strong cooperative ethic. Our mission is to promote organic gardening, the preservation of our genetic resources, and the option for gardeners to save their own seed.
Our seed company started in 1982 as an outgrowth of founder Dr. Jeff McCormack's love affair with heirloom varieties and seed saving. Southern Exposure Seed Exchange had its beginning in a small family garden and a kitchen co-opted for seed processing. The kitchen garden has since expanded to numerous growing areas supplemented by a nationwide seed grower network.
Now the seed company has its own offices, germination testing facility, and environmentally controlled seed storage areas. From the beginning we have believed that our seed company serves: (1) as a source for new, high performance varieties, and (2) most importantly, as a preservation tool for collecting and distributing varieties with special qualities: varieties with heritage, flavor, disease resistance, or other qualities of interest to gardeners.
We are a wonderful source for heirloom seeds and other open-pollinated (non-hybrid) seeds with an emphasis on vegetables, flowers, and herbs that grow well in the Mid-Atlantic region. We support seed saving and traditional seed breeding. Seed savers and breeders are to thank for our rich selection and we will do whatever we can to support our customers and associates to carry on this noble tradition.
Quality Testing
We do extensive germination and purity testing of our garden seeds and nursery stock to ensure that we can always provide our customers with the highest quality possible. We want your plants to excel.
Organic Commitment
Our Seed Racks division offers a subset of the overall varieties, and they are 100% organic!
Heirloom Focus
Please browse our webstore to find heirloom tomatoes, peppers, okra, naturally colored cotton, southern-style greens, and much more. We think that after you try them, you'll agree that our tomatoes taste better!