Seeds, Storytelling & the Future of Food: Inside Baker Creek’s Global Movement

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When I sat down to talk with Michelle Johnson from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, I expected to learn more about seeds. What I didn’t expect was to walk away thinking about joy, legacy, and the future of food in an entirely different way. What started nearly three decades ago as 17-year-old Jere Gettle's handmade seed catalog has grown into a global movement — but at its heart, it still feels deeply personal. That sincerity came through in every part of our conversation.

What struck me most was how intentional they are about preserving not just varieties, but stories. Heirloom seeds aren’t just plants — they’re living history, stewarded by families and communities for generations. In a world increasingly dominated by scale and speed, Baker Creek’s work feels like a reminder that biodiversity, flavor, and cultural heritage still matter. And that protecting them can actually be joyful.

This conversation also challenged me to think about agritourism and storytelling differently. The festivals, the vibrant social media, the theatrical imagery — it’s not marketing for the sake of attention. It’s an invitation. An invitation to reconnect with food, with soil, and with the simple but powerful act of growing something yourself. I’m excited for you to hear this episode, because it’s about more than seeds — it’s about possibility.

Baker Creek Heirlooom Seeds  

Baker Creek Instagram 

Baker Creek Youtube 

Seed Savers Exchange

National Heirloom Exhibition

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Thank you for taking the time to listen to The Agri-Tourist Podcast, for supporting our inspirational guests, and for sharing my personal journey back to agriculture.  

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