their land and tasting the crops.” When I asked him to recommend a few seeds that grow best in northern Utah, he suggested melons— ”Athena” watermelon, especially. Hillbilly tomatoes and the exclusive-to-MVS Hamson tomato—developed here by Dimo at Utah State University—fare very well in Utah. “The Super-100s also always do well. Lincoln peas and our mesclun mix can’t be beat. Those are no-brainers. And any of our turnips and radishes. For sprouting, herbs like basil, dill, cilantro and radish, mustard and amaranth are great,” said Baumann. When asked why grow your own—aside from superior flavor—Heaton states, “In reality, you’re taking back control of what you’re putting in your body.” They both caution that, like most businesses, the seed business is not easy. “The big guys are always close on our tails.” But Baumann and Heaton work hard to nurture great relationships and contacts with growers around the world. And, the good news is that Utahns are getting on board with growing their own food. Victory gardens are sprouting in yards, and community produce gardens are popping up in empty lots here. Tofu, soy and almond milk-making kits, distributed by MVS, are becoming increasingly popular. Growing your own food is empowering and nutrient-dense. MVS gives back to the community by working with educational garden programs, such as the school garden at Bonneville Elementary, where kids come back in late summer/early fall and harvest what they sowed in the spring. They learn early that growing their own food is fun and not terribly complicated. And, they get to eat what they grow. Mountain Valley Seeds can be found at IFA Country Stores, Harmons, Wasatch Community Gardens and many local garden stores.
Mountain Valley Seed Co. 32 Devour Utah • September/October 2015