Heirloom Beans
2011 Bean Import Project: "Adopt a Bean"
The Central Tree Crops Research Trust is seeking donations towards the importation of rare and unusual seeds from the United States. In a two-year project, the Trust is working with a seed saving organisation in the U.S., who will grow the beans and have them inspected during the growing season to ensure that they are pest and disease free. The varieties selected include ancient and beautiful North American Indian varieties, some traditional Mexican varieties, as well as some early American Settler varieties.
The Great New Zealand Bean Hunt
The Central Tree Crops Research Trust has undertaken a project to find all the different varieties of Heirloom Beans growing in New Zealand. These old and quite often rare seeds will have superior nutritional properties when compared to modern hybrid varieties. These seeds are important for the medicinal health of current and future generations and need to be preserved. We have undertaken to find these varieties and save them and distribute them to the community.
If anyone in New Zealand has an old variety of bean that they would like to share (whether it be a climbing bean, a Runner, a dwarf or a Broad bean) we would be very pleased to hear from you. Beans may be sent to Central Tree Crops Research Trust, PO Box 4088, Wanganui 4541, and we can be contacted by this address; or by email at beanlovers@slingshot.co.nz; or using the contact form on this website.
If anyone outside of New Zealand has information on beans (whether relating to health, growing, or particular varieties) then we would also be very interested to hear from you.
Our Current Heirloom Bean List
2008 Press Release: The Great New Zealand Bean Hunt
Do you have a climber or a runner hanging around your garden shed? A Wanganui-based charitable trust wants them all!
The Central Tree Crops Research Trust has launched what it calls "The Great New Zealand Bean Hunt" for old and rare New Zealand bean varieties.
Director of the trust, Mark Christensen says the Trust's vision is not just to save heirloom bean varieties but to improve the health of New Zealanders.
"The work we've been involved in so far, with apples and tomatoes has shown the nutritional properties of heirloom varieties tend to be greater than modern varieties which are bred for commercial production," he says. "This programme will endeavour to get these wonderful old varieties out into the community so people can enjoy the wonderful diversity of this heirloom material, as well as their superior nutritional value. The Trust aims to find out just what varieties of beans we have in New Zealand, and which beans grow best for our particular climate and conditions. Many beans are also known under more than one name, which can cause confusion. It is hoped to be able to match varieties so that correct names can be determined."
No bean is a has-been as the Trust is interested in the whole range of varieties including climbing and dwarf beans, runner beans and dry beans as well as Broad beans.
"We are looking for old varieties that people may be saving, or may be sitting in jars in garden sheds, or in old seed packets, never planted. Also if anyone has a special variety of bean that they would like to share, this would be very much appreciated," says Mark Christensen.
Once gathered, the seed will be grown into plants, new seed saved and named before being given away. The Central Tree Crops Research Trust works in partnership with the Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation (WRPHO) to distribute trees and plants free to the community. The WRPHO project that promotes healthy eating is called the "Grab a Bite That's Right" programme, and is funded by the Ministry of Health.
"Due to this country's phytosanitary requirements it is extremely difficult to import beans from overseas," says Mark Christensen. "Hence the Trust would appreciate receiving seeds or hearing from anyone who may be able to assist with information on old varieties - no bean is too old for this project."
If anyone would like beans in exchange, the Trust is happy to return beans later in the Autumn.
Beans can be sent to the Central Tree Crops Research Trust, PO Box 4088, Wanganui 4541 - contact: beanlovers@slingshot.co.nz, or using the contact form on this website.
October 2008
Photos
These are photos of a selection of beans and bean seed from the varieties grown March/April 2009.
