I drive past the Chicago Botanic Garden on my way up to Milwaukee to visit my sister and I keep saying I'm going to stop in one of these days, but I always tend to be up that way in the winter. I will be going up Feb 17...missed the swap by 1 week. :( If the swap were only 1 week earlier, I'd drive back down for the afternoon.

I stand before an empty audience? Heeellllooooooo out there.... I was thinking about a one hour speaker or guest. (Starting at noon during lunch being served. I think it should be on something appropriate like seed saving techniques or methods of mailing live plants, explaining methods for sowing seeds and working with seedlings to mature plant and also methods of maintenance. Basic life cycle of plant and other info of interest. I am thinking about this being the topic for discussion. I could pitch and then run and hit the ball run to first and get myself embarrassed by attempting such diverse feats. So, Iam really hoping that those attending may be comfortable enough to share ideas opening on these topics. I think it will be a success nonetheless. Ideally the line up of speakers should be......??? Open discussion is encouraged. So expect my updates starting back again in January. In the mean time I will be lurking and my email will be notifying me if there is any posting ( as posting do when one starts up one and posting are added)and I will attempt to reply but will be responding better in January! Cheers and I wish everyone a Safe and Joyous Winter! See ya all next year in 2005! G4 In the mean time....get some trading material ready. I hope for a great turn out. And yes, suggestions in efforts to create smooth transitions with trades and communications is always welcomed. If I get a lot of interest I may rent space at my local elementry school gymnasium, however, If the group is under 50 there is indoor space available to accomidate what ever.

Thanks for the responses. Some additional info on the Swap. 2nd ANNUAL OZARK SEED SWAP TO PRESERVE AND DISTRIBUTE TRADITIONAL SEED VARIETIES UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS, CONWAY, ARKANSAS �"Co-sponsored by the Ozark Folk Center State Park and the University of Central Arkansas, the Conserving Arkansas’s Agricultural Heritage (CAAH!) Project will host the second annual Ozark Seed Swap on February 21st, 2009 at the Ozark Folk Center State Park Bois D' Arc Conference Center. Last year was a huge success, with over one hundred seed savers in attendance and hundreds of heirloom varieties exchanging hands. We are excited to invite you to bring some seeds and stories to swap with other Ozark seed savers and yarn spinners. If you have no seeds to swap but want to get started, come along to mingle with gardeners and farmers who can help. We can conserve the heritage of Arkansas while we share good stories, beautify our yards, and of course, get free seeds. Refreshments and music (a pickin’) will be provided. WHAT: 2nd Annual Ozark Seed Swap WHEN: February 21, 2009, 12-3PM WHERE: Ozark Folk Center Bois D' Arc Conference Center, Mountain View, Arkansas. 870-269-3851 1032 Park Ave Mountain View, AR 72560, US WHO: University of Central Arkansas Sociology Department and Humanities and World Cultures Institute partnering with the Ozark Folk Center State Park and any interested farmers and gardeners WHY: Arkansas farmers and gardeners have a legacy of heirloom seeds that are in danger of being lost, and sharing of seeds will encourage production of diverse varieties for posterity. HOW IT WORKS: Anyone can bring seeds to swap or share. University students will assist Dr. Campbell in saving a master set to distribute for the next season and keeping a database of local varieties. If you would like to join in the pickin’, bring a musical instrument. COST: None. Got Whippoorwills? Razorbacks? Red Rippers? Pencil Cob? Hickory King? Greasebacks? Turkey Craws? Want some? Come to the Old-Timey Ozark Seed Swap The results of the this project will be the collection of information on endangered seeds, promotion of a seed sharing resource, rejuvenation of traditional Ozark seed swaps and passing on of seeds (as is being encouraged by the University of Georgia's Southern Seed Legacy), study of the feasibility of expanding consumer-supported agricultural systems, and publication of results of the study in anthropological journals and the popular press. As for the latter, there is much interest in subjects related to the American diet and food production methods (see best-sellers by Michael Pollan, OMNIVORE'S DILEMMA and BOTANY OF DESIRE, Frances Moore Lappe's HOPE'S EDGE, and Eric Schlosser's FAST FOOD NATION). The importance of global seed saving is also being increasingly recognized and popularized (see John Seabrook's article "Sowing for Apocalypse" in the August 27, 2007 edition of THE NEW YORKER). An anthropological study will add to the growing literature a further appreciation of just how important preserving traditional knowledge can be for human posterity and even survival. For more information on the project, our website address is: http://www.arkansasagro.wordpress.com # # #

Bonnie - I mailed your seeds today. When I had them weighed at the post office, the postal clerk told me that there was a bar code across the bottom - I never saw it so I don't think it was too obvious - and he said that bar code would be picked up rather than the zip code if it stayed on there so he scratched through it with something that looked like a thick black crayon. He said it did no good to cross it off with a marker - that the equipment would read right through the marker. Anyway, I am posting all this because I wonder if that is why your envelope took nearly a month to get here. I know lots of us reuse envelopes so I thought I would pass this along. If you see a bar code, cover it with a label or cover it completely by using a black crayon or china marker (postal employee said that --- I don't even know what a china marker is...LOL) I hope you like the seeds, Bonnie, and now that they are mailed, this swap is complete! Thanks to all who joined in. Jeanne