Michael Washburn serves as the Preservation Director at Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa, where they maintain a collection of 20,000 varieties of heritage garden seeds and apples. The Preservation Department works to educate about the importance of preserving biodiversity through seed stewardship. It provides programming and other opportunities that engage gardeners, farmers, seed savers, and breeders with their collections. Michael is a long-time seed saver focusing on southern US and Middle Eastern varieties. Over time, much of his work has focused on diverse organic farming systems and traditional farming practices.