
Our business member spotlight this month features Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Located in central Virginia, Southern Exposure operates a 72-acre farm that includes seed production and variety trial plots. The company works with dozens of seed producers located around the country to offer more than 700 varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, grain, and cover crop seed in its catalogue each year. More than 70% of these varieties are certified organic. Though farmers and gardeners from across the U.S. enjoy their varieties, the worker-owned and managed cooperative emphasizes varieties that perform well in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. They also specialize in offering a number of Southern heirloom varieties of peanuts, collards, okra, southern peas, naturally colored cotton, and others.
Founded in the early 1980s, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange stands out as a powerful leader in supporting a community seed system that extends its reach well beyond the southern region. In the spirit of their collaborative work environment, they also participate as a key partner in participatory organic seed research, education, and advocacy nationally.
Learn more about Southern Exposure Seed Exchange and check out the varieties they offer here. Find out how you can participate as a business member here.