Do they have workshops and different things going on, or is it just a giant seed swap in Bill's barn?

I went last year and it was pretty casual, not really a workshop-type affair. Bill took people who persevered to the very end (~2:30pm) on a tour of the farm, which was very informative, seeing first-hand how a serious bean outfit grows and how different it is from what I could get away with in my climate. And I talked to almost everybody there (which took like 4 hours, ha) and learned a bunch of stuff from them about their different projects and how they grow and cook to suit different circumstances. It was fun! I'm going again this year and bringing more stuff.

Any other GWers thinking about going?

I'm going to ask my Extension agents if they know of anyone in our area going. I'm 5 hours east of Berea so it's hard to justify driving by myself. I'd sure love to pick Bill's brain and see his farm.

Eh, or I could just stay home and email Zeedman. <big grin>

Zeedman came a couple years ago, and it was great to finally meet him!

Seakangaroo, Did I meet you?

Ah yes, I did come home with Blooming Prairie. :)

Oh how I would love to go, unfortunately I can't so will be waiting to hear all about it from you guys, All the neat beans you managed to snag, and pictures PLEASE :).

Remy, I'm not on face book so can't view your photo's :(.

Annette

I enjoyed the visit to Berea a couple years ago; but this is a busy time of year at my job, so I won't be able to make it very often. As it was, I had to cancel 3 years in a row before I finally was able to make the trip.

This year, it was all I could do just to make my annual trip to Heritage Farm, to view their grow outs. That was one of my best visits there in years... I came back with notes on a long list of prospects (about 4 hand written pages) for possible future trials.

Annette, you should be able to see them even if not on FB. Try Clicking Here.

I also now realize I shared the wrong link for last year's album, try This Link.

Remy, thanks for the picture trail, it was almost like being there :).

Annette

Glad you could see them!

Thanks for the photos. Have a great time!

Pictures? Those who went did you acquire any interesting beans?

Annette

Oops! Sorry forgot to post pics. Here they are.
2015 Swap Pics

Most of them are of my table because my SIL took the pics.
I did meet Russ Crow of A Bean Collector's Window

I got a few new beans, but not too many. I already have sooo many that I need to grow.

"I already have sooo many that I need to grow." And when has this ever been a valid excuse LOL. Thanks for the pictures Remy, if I was younger you just might have seen me there too.

Annette

LOL, true :) I wish I could see you! Well, if I ever get out your way, I will visit you and Tatiana (TOMATObase.)
BTW, I did grow out a few from you, bu I once again had problems this year :(. All the ones I planted out in the ground at home got eaten by rabbits, every single one. So the ones I planted in pots after that did fine, but they were planted later and of course pots never do quite as well as the ground. At my friend's old farm, we made a new area inside of the other fence, and though there was no deer rampage this fall, they did not grow well at all.
Hope springs eternal though, and I have a plan for better rabbit protection already. The farm area, I guess, I'll have to haul in some compost.

Remy, if you need more seed just let me know and I'll pop them in the mail.

Annette

Oh no, I'm fine thank you. I have more than enough stock to re-grow next year. I just will be disappointing some people that were hoping for seeds with the shortage.