Field Trip Notes: Native American Seed at the Neiman Family Farm in Junction, Texas

“ The novel catalog is out ! ”

“ Did you get your catalog ? ”

“ Have you hear the new catalog yet ? ”

I hear these questions twice a year from my horticulture colleagues . “ The ” catalog in question is the Native American Seed catalogue , which is mail out in spring and fall . My colleagues and I pore over its colorful , selective information - packed pages while crap our garden plans for the time of year . We have come to rely on Native American Seed as our go - to supplier for aboriginal plant seed . There are a telephone number of reasons why Native American Seed ’s intersection put up out from the competition .

1. Native American Seed doesn’t just specialize in native seed—it’s all they do

The Neiman menage made a witting decision early on to develop only ejaculate native to the Texas / Oklahoma / Louisiana region . They champion native plants that are course fit specifically for the conditions and challenge of our region . Founder Bill Neiman told me , “ A place involve to look like what it is , and the people there need to go to it . ” In other words , there is beauty in a location ’s unique mix of topography and botany , and we ourselves can find belonging in these native landscapes .

2. They’re family owned and run with deep roots in the community

Native American Seed has been owned and lock by the Neiman family at their current farm placement outside Junction , Texas , since 1995 . In the 25 years since then their business enterprise has farm , and they have put down deep source in the community of interests and a warmth for educating the public about native works and bionomical renovation . Founder Bill Neiman describes their job as “ morally driven . ” They strive to provide a high - calibre , sustainably grow merchandise . While they must make enough net to support the farm and its mass , their business is not centered on maximizing profit . They are farming for long - term conservation and sustainability ( think generations here , not years ) .

3. They’re an accessible, expert resource that offers real customer service

Not sure about on the nose what mintage you need to range or when to constitute them ? you could call Native American Seed with interrogation ; their phone seam is staff by folks who know their product , and they are friendly and helpful . They offer dozens of species of wildflowers and grasses , as well as source mixes for particular spot . Some of my favorite among their oblation are Prince of Darkness nipper ( Proboscidea louisianica ) , frostweed ( Verbesina virginica ) , huisache daisy ( Amblyolepis setigera ) , greenthread ( Thelesperma filifolium ) , Hooker ’s eringo ( Eryngium hookeri ) , and a host of aboriginal supergrass . If you ’re looking for help on a tumid scale , Native American Seed also provides consulting on gravid ( 40 + acres ) restoration project . For these projects they do evaluations of existing stipulation , recommend specific metal money , develop an ecologically sound restoration architectural plan , and provide steering on governmental regulations .

Karen Beaty is a horticulturalist at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin , Texas .

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