On a hot morning in late July, 2010, Christine Muhlke of the New York Times Magazine, drove from New York City to Wethersfield, CT to interview the new owners of Comstock, Ferre & Co., the oldest continuously operating seed company in the United States. Only two weeks before, Jere and Emilee Gettle had just purchased the company to preserve its historic buildings and heritage.  

The Gettles, owners of Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. headquartered in Mansfield, MO, first learned that Comstock was available through a letter from Pierre Bennerup, the previous owner. His primary business is Sunny Border Nurseries of Kensington, CT, with a branch nursery in Ohio. As Pierre put it, “I am a plantsman and Jere Gettle is a seedsman—these are two different mindsets. I was sure that Jere could take Comstock and rebuild it to its former stature.”  

When Christine arrived, she was greeted with open arms by Jere and Emilee, who were delighted that she had driven all that distance and then spent most of the day interviewing them. Most of all, they were pleased that she grasped the core meaning of what they are all about—pure, natural, non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) foods that taste good and are readily available to the average home gardener. This is what heirloom seeds are all about and Christine understood this, homing in on the essentials. 

Jere says, “I want to thank Christine Muhlke, the New York Times Magazine, and David La Spina, the excellent professional photographer from the magazine.” He and Emilee appreciate the thoughtful portrayal of their business born of a passion for simple, but important pleasures and nurtured by the growth of the locavore and slow food movements. 

 See the full text of the article at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/15/magazine/15food-t-000.html: The Evangelists for Heirloom Vegetables