Beans (except fava beans from Egypt and soy beans from Asia) originated in the “New World”. Hundreds of the original varieties, with all of their special qualities of color, flavor and nutrition, have already disappeared. Saverine Creek Heirlooms at Hagley Farms in Michigan is helping to keep several of the remaining varieties in production. Help us save those that remain by sharing the unaltered beauty of Nature’s agricultural gems displayed in our hand crafted eco-friendly designs.
The idea for Saverine Creek Heirlooms came to Debra in the autumn of 2003. She was astonished by the intricate beauty of some of the dried beans her brother had grown on their family centennial farm. The heirloom seed varieties had intriguing names, like Good Mother Stallard, Jacob’s Cattle, Red Calypso, Tiger Eye and Paint Dry. The seeds were gorgeous; opening each dried pod was like finding a treasure — seeds genetically untouched, passed down from generation to generation. Debra felt their individual beauty needed to be showcased, and making them into jewelry seemed to be the perfect avenue to draw attention to these rare “gems.”
Each year her oldest brother plants an incredible garden in the rich organic soil, filled with an amazing array of rare and unusual vegetables. The whole family partakes of the bounty; Mom and Dad, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They gather together at harvest time, canning and freezing. In the cool weeks some of us can be found outdoors, pulling dried bean pods from their bushes then shelling them all by hand in a spot warmed from the sun and out of the wind.
Debra’s workshop is located in the upstairs of her home where she can prepare and drill each seed by hand. During the creation process Debra gives careful attention to each bean and seed to bring out the beauty as well as provide an exquisite piece of organic heirloom jewelry.
The majority of the seeds come from Saverine Creek Heirloom’s own garden.
Black Good Mother Stallard bean is a black with white strain from the Red Good Mother Stallard, isolated by Saverine Creek Heirlooms in 2004.
Cherokee Trail of Tears was carried by the Cherokee Indians on their forced journey of relocation, which began in Georgia in 1838 and during which over 4,000 Cherokees died. The shiny black sheen is stunning.
Christmas Lima originated in Peru, first recognized in the 1840’s. This bean is also known as Chestnut Bean because its flavor resembles that of the nut. The maroon markings remain even after cooking. Christmas Limas are now adapted to the high desert region of the American Southwest.
Hopi Purple String beans (a/k/a Rio Zape) have been found in the Anasazi cliff-dwelling ruins in the USA southwest. This bean has a hint of chocolate flavor.
Red Good Mother Stallard An old-fashioned food staple, Good Mother Stallard beans have been maintained by the Drowns family over several generations.
True Red Cranberry beans originated in Maine, and served as a staple of the Abenaki Indians and lumbermen in the Northeastern United States.
NEW WORLD CORN
Corn originated in Central American long before European contact. Hundreds of varieties are still grown in Mexico, Gradually, though, they are being displaced by genetically modified (GM) corn from the United States.
Mandan Bride corn (zea mays) originated with the Mandan Indians of Minnesota and North Dakota. It is difficult to grow and is prized for its flavor and nutrition.
You will find many pieces of Saverine Creek Heirloom Seed Jewelry in the Michigan-Made online store.
