By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

Quail Hollow Farm owner Monte Bledsoe, left, holds a section of a 410-pound pumpkin that was opened with help from Meadow Valley Farm and CSA owner Bryce Omer, right, to get access to its seeds. Photo by Mike Donahue.

Seeds from some 50 different open-pollinated vegetable varieties representing everything from two-foot long radishes to 410-pound pumpkins were available at Quail Hollow Farm’s Third Annual Seed Exchange on Saturday.

With only one or two exceptions, the vast majority of the seeds for sale and/or trade at the two-hour exchange came from crops grown at Quail Hollow’s community service agriculture (CSA) garden off North Andersen Street in Overton.

In many cases, lush ripe examples of the type of vegetables that produced the seeds sat on or under tables to show potential consumers just what they could expect from new purchases. The vegetables, as well as their seeds, could also be purchased.

Most seeds were neatly wrapped in $1 packages and ready to be planted. Seeds from a 410 lb. pumpkin were made available after it was cut open during the event so attendees could gain access.

The popular seed exchange, which is always held at the first of December, was attended by people from all over Moapa Valley and as far away as Las Vegas.

“Saving open-pollinated seeds is the crowning event of the sustainable farm,” said Laura Bledsoe, who, with husband Monte, owns and operates the local CSA. “Crops grown in fertile soil grow to maturity and then in a last burst of energy send out fruits, pods and flowers laden with seeds in an effort to survive and perpetuate its species.”

The seed exchange is the Bledsoe’s way to help sustain plants that have a proven track record in Southern Nevada.

“The whole purpose of the exchange is to help promote a sustainable and secure food shed with fruits and vegetables that have been acclimatized to our growing area,” Monte explained.

In addition to several home gardeners looking for seeds of vegetables that have proven to grow well in the local climate, representatives from two other local CSA attended this year’s exchange.

Bryce Omer, owner/operator of Meadow Valley Farm and CSA in Moapa, brought a few seeds to exchange with the Bledsoe’s and take home some from Quail Hollow’s supply.

“We (local CSAs) all need to help each other,” Omer said. “This is not a competition. It’s an attempt to help our communities grow and supply the food we need to survive.”

John and Juniper Olsen, who have recently started a CSA on two acres in Moapa, brought some pumpkin seeds to sell or trade, and several bags of fresh spinach, arugula and lettuce to sell to attendees.

Approximately 30 people attended the seed exchange including some who came just to purchase fresh vegetables picked earlier Saturday.

Available seeds including some from an “Indian cave watermelon,” whose original seeds were found in a cave in the Bunkerville Mountains.

Honey produced in Quail Hollow’s 25 bee hives was also being sold.

“We’d really like to see more people bring their seeds and participate in the event,” the Bledsoes said.