Cherokee Nation To Disperse Rare, Traditional Seeds

The Cherokee Nation each year gives its tribal members interested in growing traditional Cherokee crops seeds from its special seed bank.

The Cherokee Nation says it keeps an inventory of seeds from rare breeds of corn, beans, squash, gourds, Trail of Tears beads and tobacco, traditionally used for Cherokee customs.

Officials say the seeds are generally not available anywhere else.

To get the seeds, the tribe says citizens can either make an appointment to pick them up or email their request to seedbank@cherokee.org to have them sent by mail.

Individuals must include a copy of his or her Cherokee Nation tribal citizenship card, proof of age and address.