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Stewardship Stories
A Lawyer
John Swenson ’s successful career in law read seamlessly into every aspect of his liveliness . In the belated 1980s , John turned his relentless pursual of Sojourner Truth and truth , his astray - ranging intellect , and his passion for alliums ( the genus that includes garlic , onion plant , and leeks ) towards a multi - year project uncovering the truth behind the etymology of the term Chicago .
After agnize that the common story that Chicago was named after a common prairie onion may be false , he spent numberless hour methodically explore regional account ( teaching himself to say 11 Native American language along the way ) in Leslie Townes Hope of finding historical accounts that might help his understanding of the etymological growing of the term .
He in conclusion find the journal of Henri Joutel , a Gallic soldier who go through the sphere in 1687 . Locals explicate to him that the orbit was constitute after chicagoua , the Miami name forAllium tricoccum , a tempestuous garlic that grew along the river bank . Henri was an experienced gardener and natural scientist who explained in his diary under no unsealed terms thatAllium tricoccumwaschicagoua .
Darrell Merrel, left, and John Swenson, right, at a Seed Savers Exchange Conference and Campout.
In 1991 , John write “ Chicagoua / Chicago : The Origin , Meaning , and Etymology of a Place Name ” forIllinois Historic Journal , in the end partake the knowledge that he spent so many hours get .
John Swenson graduated magna cum laude from Dartmouth College in 1950 with majors in school of thought and sociology before attending Northwestern University School of Law . In 1975 , while practice as a attorney , John became interested in alliums while flipping through a seed catalog . From there , he ordered rocambole garlic bulbs out of absolute oddity , and never look back .
Later that same class , he first read about Seed Savers Exchange ( then True Seed Exchange ) inOrganic Gardeningmagazine . In 1984 , he last officially became a listed member , and a lifetime member in 1985 . Over 33 long time , John list 133 variety in the Yearbook , and donated 150 salmagundi to Seed Savers Exchange ’s seed bank building collection . He play as an advisor to Seed Savers Exchange for several year .
Darrell Merrel, left, and John Swenson, right, at a Seed Savers Exchange Conference and Campout.
In 1989 , John joined a USDA team of life scientist on a collections deputation through Russia and Central Asia . There , the team searched removed hillside and hustle marketplace alike , for every garlic , onion , shallot , and Daucus carota sativa potential . Even though the squad entered what was then the USSR amply accredit , foreign agencies often treated them with suspicion .
At 6’2″ John , remember being assign the smallest seat on a flight from Moscow to Ashgabat , retrieve that the only available flight for Americans were hush-hush of the night . “ It was like a military drill , ” he recalls , laughing . “ They did n’t require us American undercover agent to flee out during the daylight because we could see . ”
Ultimately , the team returned with 120 varieties of ail alone . Generally , USDA materials are keep in their collection , but John secure sample distribution from as many of the USSR accessions as possible , and grew them all in his backyard ! He later shared his entire collection with Seed Savers Exchange , which was the foundation of the system ’s garlic appeal . He also listed many of his garlic varieties in the Exchange , and after sell much of his ingathering to Filaree Farms in Washington .
John has mentioned that he often eats 12 varieties of garlic in a day.
Through John ’s exceptional efforts to deal , some USSR garlic varieties became wide popular in the seminal fluid patronage and many others became cognise and loved by garlic aficionados . His actions completely transformed the diverseness of garlic salmagundi available in the United States and help spark a “ Garlic Revolution , ” where the garlic varieties available in the United States seed trade went from 18 in 1987 to 274 by 2004 .
Even in retreat , John proceed to help masses track down varieties and stays alive in his garden . He ’s was a volunteer with the Chicago Botanic Garden . “ I have an ongoing undertaking of selecting and donating strange seeds . A lot of my work has been with peppers , so I establish dozens of peppers , ” he explicate . “ They ’re look for something that has kind of an educational economic value . ”
John Swenson passed away peacefully in his quietus on July 9 , 2024 , at the geezerhood of 95 .
John Swenson chats with attendees of the 2007 Seed Savers Exchange Conference and Campout.
John’s Favorite Varieties:
‘ Samarkand ’ garlicSpeckled Roman tomato
Learn More:
picture : JohnSwenson – My First Garden
Video : JohnSwenson – Becoming a Seed Saver
This preservation work and account was made potential with sustenance from the1772 Foundation . Originally part of the “ Legacy Donors Exhibit ” feature a mathematical group of gardening masterminds — farmers , artists , teachers , factory proletarian , lawyer , and squatter . In their spare clock time , they have cut across down , stewarded — and sometimes lay aside entirely — exceedingly rare varieties . Some started out of wonder , some out of frugality , some in search of the better - taste Lycopersicon esculentum . We hope their story will leave you frantic , and inspire to get your hands into your garden filth .
John Swenson and his garlic collection are shown in the Heritage Farm barn.
Bios written and video edits by Kelly Loud . audience and correspondence by Katie Gove , Kelly Loud , Sara Straate , Molly Thompson , Tor Janson , Zack Row - Heyveld , and Toby Cain .
exceptional thanks to : Bill Minkey;David Cavagnaro;George , Jerreth , and Emily McLaughlin;Kathleen and Bryce Plunkett - Black ; Jim and Kathryn Tjepkema;John Coykendalland Ashley Valentine ; Mike Washburn;John Swenson;Ron , Joshua , and Pam Thuma ; Jack Bohannan at Flint Hills Wildlife Refuge ; andRuss Crow .
Bios write by Kelly Loud . Video redaction by Kelly Loud .
‘Kitab’ garlic
Updated September 2024
3094 North Winn RoadDecorah , Iowa 52101(563 ) 382 - 5990
right of first publication © 2025 Seed Savers Exchange . Images on this land site are protect by copyright — unauthorized use is not permitted .
‘Kettle River’ garlic
Seed Savers Exchange is a tax - exempt 501(c)3 non-profit-making organisation consecrate to the preservation of heirloom ejaculate .
‘Samarkand’ garlic
John’s home kitchen is decorated with (what else?) garlic!
