How to Rediscover a Forgotten Crop
- 1). Contact the County Extension office for the area you are researching. Ask them for records of crops that were grown in the region beginning a generation ago and dating as far back from that as possible.
- 2). Inquire at the local library if they have any documents, records or books relating to local agriculture. These may include seed catalogs, which can be extremely valuable in locating forgotten crops.
- 3). Speak to local residents and let them know that you are looking for crops that once were, but no longer are, grown in the area. Tell them that, if possible, you would like to locate a source of viable seeds for these crops.
- 4). Contact seed saving organizations. They often collect and preserve rare heirloom crop seeds.
- 5). Locate old seed catalogs that were commonly ordered from the region that you are researching. Compare them to current catalogs from the same, or comparable companies. Identify which crops or crop varieties are no longer offered in the current catalogs.