Thousands of varieties of plants are rapidly disappearing in the United States, especially non-hybrid types of garden vegetables. These are called heirloom varieties, and they're difficult, if not impossible, to buy from commercial sources. The seeds are instead often passed from gardener to gardener, often in families, and they represent an irreplaceable genetic heritage that is being lost. We examine the reasons these seeds are disappearing and the efforts underway to preserve them.

The Soundprint documentary series features the best work of top radio producers. The award winning documentaries are renowned for drawing the listener into the story with compelling interviews, authentic voices and rich sound. From memoirs to science, health and popular culture, Soundprint creates a powerful experience the listener will not soon forget. Grandmother’s Seeds was produced with support from the National Science Foundation. Here are some related Soundprint documentaries:

The Evolution Boomerang Produced by: Soundprint

Forecaster’s of Farming Produced by: Judith Kampfner

The Gulag and the Garden of Eden Produced by: Frank Browning

Vavilov's Ghost Produced by: Neenah Ellis

Soundprint Executive Producer: Moira Rankin

Senior Producer: Neenah Ellis

Technical Director: Anna Maria de Freitas

Audio Engineer: Dave Patschke

Associate Producer: Debra Morris