The 5th Annual North Louisiana Seed Preservation Field Day is slated to be held Friday August 7th, 2026, at the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, La. The annual field day centers around long-lost LSU developed vegetable varieties as well as local heirlooms that have been acquired and secured in the program for seed increase and distribution to home gardeners. Some varieties of interest are the Red-N-Sweet watermelon (circa 1987), LaGreen southern pea (circa 1962), and Creole tomato (circa 1970) all of which were developed by LSU over the past century. Were it not for the USDA GRIN seedbank, and home gardeners who have preserved precious seed over the years, these varieties would all but be extinct. The program, which was pioneered by Kerry Heafner in 2019, has a twofold mission: relocate and preserve these varieties and get them back into circulation. Horticulture Agent Marcie Wilson joined the programs efforts in 2020 and has been growing and increasing seed for several LSU varieties of watermelon, southern peas, okra, tomatoes, English peas, pole beans, lima beans, peppers and collards at the Northeast Research Station to present in the yearly Preservation Garden.

“The program has secured 37 of approximately 77 vegetable varieties developed by the LSU AgCenter, and there are more out there. We are constantly on the lookout for new entries. It is a thrill and an honor to be able to preserve and re-release such beloved varieties back into gardeners hands,” says Wilson. Many of the most fondly remembered varieties were developed at the Calhoun Research station, which closed in 2011, such as Calhoun Sweet Watermelon, and Calhoun Crowder southern pea. All were developed and are especially suited for Louisiana’s hot, humid climate and environmental impacts such as disease and pests.“Perhaps due to the popularity of hybrids, some of these varieties got lost along the way. But from my experience and evaluation, all have excellent qualities, are easy to grow, harvest, and most importantly, they taste good!”