"Heirloom seeds are food awaiting to happen." - Dr. William Woys Weaver

Our Story

Beginning in 2018, supporters for Roughwood and Dr. William Woys Weaver’s work came together and began planting the seed for an organization that would be dedicated to heritage foods from heritage seeds. Something unique and unlike any others out there. During 2021, The Roughwood Center for Heritage Seedways was formed, holding within it the Roughwood Seed Collection as a key part of its educational purpose.

For over 90 years, the Roughwood Seed Collection has safeguarded more than 5,000 heirloom seed varieties - living artifacts of Indigenous, African American, and Pennsylvania foodways.

Now, Roughwood is entering a transformational new chapter.

With the sale of our historic home in Devon, we must relocate the entire seed collection by December 31, 2025. We are in the final stages of confirming a long-term institutional home that will provide:

• Permanent security and preservation

• Professional curation and research support

• Stronger infrastructure for seed storage and documentation

• Expanded public access and community programming

• Opportunities for volunteers, growers, and students

• A thriving environment for future growth

While we cannot share the institution’s name until the agreement is finalized, we can share this:

Roughwood’s future is bright, secure, and full of possibility!

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Why We’re Raising Funds Now

Relocating a living seed archive of this size requires care, planning, and specialized logistics. Your gift will help fund:

• Freezer transport and preservation equipment

• Safe packing and relocation of rare seeds and archives

• Storage containers and labeling systems

• Moving and transportation costs

• Initial setup within the new space

• Transition staffing and documentation

This transition is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to carry Roughwood’s mission into a stronger, more sustainable future.

Our seed and book sales will continue without pause and we plan to keep our growing partners propagating these historic seeds with us. And we’ll announce our new home soon. 

Why Your Gift Matters

Your support today demonstrates your commitment to heritage seedways and helps ensure:

• Rare seeds are permanently safeguarded

• Cultural food traditions are preserved and shared

• Future generations can learn, grow, and taste their heritage

• Roughwood’s 90-year legacy continues to flourish

Every gift - whether $10 or $1,000 - helps secure the collection's future.

Join Us. Support the Next 90 Years.

This is more than a move.

This is an investment in the future of biodiversity, food history, cultural storytelling, and community resilience.

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Thank you for helping us plant the next chapter. And stay tuned for our partner announcement. 

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