SEED BANK: Applications Open January 13 - February 13

For all our current and aspiring gardeners, now is the time to request our heirloom seeds to grow. It is a special honor to caretake our plants and continue sharing our seeds with each other. As Cherokee Nation Principal Chief, Chuck Hoskin Jr. said, “Our heirloom seed program is more than just agriculture - it’s about preserving our Cherokee heritage and connecting our people to the land our ancestors cultivated. By supporting this initiative, we’re ensuring that our traditional crops and knowledge continue to thrive for future generations.”

Growing our Cherokee Nation heirloom seeds is a unique opportunity to honor the agricultural traditions of our ancestors while also providing a valuable learning experience for youth about Cherokee culture. Many of the seeds in our Cherokee Nation Seed Bank are rare cultivars, often not found in commercial markets, and represent centuries of Cherokee agricultural and cultural heritage.

“Growing these heirloom varieties is an act of cultural continuity that strengthens our connection to the land and to each other,” Secretary of Natural Resources Christina Justice said. “When our citizens plant these seeds, they’re participating in the same practices that have defined Cherokee agriculture for countless generations, and they’re helping preserve the biodiversity that remains essential to our Nation’s future.”

Applications will be available on the Gadugi Portal starting January 13, 2026 at 8 am PST until February 13, 2026. One application per Cherokee Citizen.

“If you received seeds from us at one of our meetings in 2025, let us know how they did!

If you now have seeds to share, bring them to any of our Spring events to share with the community! ”

Steps To Place Seed Order:

1. Log in to the Gadugi Portal.
   If you do not already have an account, you will need to create one first.

2. Under the "Applications" tab, select the Seed Bank form.

3. Fill out and submit the form.

From the Office of the Secretary of Natural Resource:

The Cherokee Nation Heirloom Garden and Native Plant Site is proud to announce the 2026 SeedBank offerings. Our SeedBank’s genetic stock has been replenished, and we now have a variety of surplus seeds for Cherokee citizens. This is a unique opportunity to honor the agricultural traditions of our ancestors and elders, while also providing a valuable learning experience for our youth about Cherokee culture. Many of the seeds in our SeedBank are rare cultivars, often not found in commercial markets, and they represent centuries of Cherokee agricultural and cultural heritage.

Due to the overwhelming demand for seeds, participants for this year's program will be chosen through a random draw, ensuring fairness and equal opportunity for all applicants.

Cherokee Nation citizens can apply starting January 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST by using the Gadugi Portal.

To request seeds, applicants should choose six varieties, ranked in order of preference from most to least preferred. Once selected at random, applicants will receive two varieties based on their preferences and availability. If any of the selected varieties are depleted, SeedBank staff will choose alternative varieties based on available inventory. The deadline for submitting applications is February 13, 2026.

We encourage all eligible citizens to apply and help carry forward the rich legacy of Cherokee farming traditions! 

Available seeds for 2026 include: 

HEIRLOOM CROPS
Corn (Zea mays):

1. Cherokee Colored Flour – a large flour corn

2. Cherokee White Eagle – a dent corn

Beans(Phaseolus vulgaris)

1. Turkey Gizzard Black Bean (a large black & white bean)

2. Turkey Gizzard Brown Bean (a large brown & white bean)

Squash(Cucurbita maxima)

1. Georgia Candy Roaster (a long storing squash that can be prepared as squash, Sweet Potatoes, or Pumpkin)

Pumpkin(Cucurbita moschata)

1. Cherokee Tan Pumpkin

Gourds (Lagenaria siceraria)

1. Basket Gourd

2. Jewel Gourd

3. Buffalo Gourds (Cucurbita foetidissima)

Trail of Tears Beads

1. Indian Corn Beads (Coix lacrima)

Tobacco

1. Native Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica) – ceremonial tobacco, not smoking tobacco and restricted to those at least 18 years of age. 

NATIVE PLANTS

1. American Basket Flower

2. Blue Wild Indigo

3. Compass Plant

4. Cutleaf Coneflower (Cochanny)

5. Green Dragon

6. Hearts-a-Burstin

7. Jewelweed

8. New Jersey Tea

9. Passionflower

10. Purple Coneflower

11. Rattlesnake Master

12. Sunchoke  

13. Trumpet Vine

14. Wild Senna

It is important to preserve the rare genetics of the above “heirlooms,” so, if you receive seeds, please be mindful of the directions in the planting guide. Any variance from these instructions could result in hybridization and loss of the plants’ genetic integrity. All of the “native plants” are local to the Cherokee Nation and would make an excellent addition to any garden/landscape. These seeds have been produced locally in the Cherokee Nation by trained staff and are made available to Cherokee Nation citizens for cultural uses. This seed stock is not to be sold or offered for sale.

Seed recipients are limited to two varieties (only one variety of corn and gourds due to hybridization issues). The Cherokee Nation appreciates your interest in this cultural seed project. The propagation and cultivation of these rare plants is the only way to assure their genetic preservation and a vital component of Cherokee history. Thank you for your participation.

ᏩᏙ,
Ethnobiology Department
Office of the Secretary of Natural Resource