Saving Seed: M-GEN Field Observation Studies

Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) is a non-profit organization founded in 1975 that helps to preserve, maintain, and distribute many thousands of rare heirloom seeds. They sell many seeds from their collection through their catalog (available in both print and online), but they also have a member-based annual seed catalog called The Yearbook where members list thousands and thousands of seeds, most of which are not available commercially, obtainable for a small fee.  At the Seed Savers Exchange Farm in Iowa, they conduct field trials from both collections each season, looking for varieties that are promising either because of their marketability (taste and appearance) and/or their productivity for gardeners and market farmers.  
Recently, they began M-GEN or the Member-Grower Evaluation Network as an attempt to expand these trials.  Through M-GEN, SSE members around the country like us participate in SSE's plant evaluation process, collecting valuable data about a variety's characteristics and productivity from our own field observation studies.  The data is used to improve SSE's database of information on its varieties, to guide other SSE members, and to determine catalog offerings.  
We first participated in M-GEN in 2012.  That season we evaluated "Ole Timey Blue" Collard Greens, which we still grow from seed saved that season.  Prior to growing them, we had grown several market standards.  "Ole Timey Blue" outperformed them on appearance, taste, and productivity.  The only category where the market standard was better was uniformity.  
This season, we have been asked to grow out four okra varieties: one is the market standard for organic growers "Clemson Spineless" (which we already grow) and the other three are rare, family heirlooms that are part of SSE's large collection.  The three rare varieties are: "Giant Red," "Hodnett Special," and "Rains."  "Giant Red" is a long-podded, red okra grown in Florida since at least the 1930s.  "Hodnett Special" is from the Hodnett Family of Rising Star, Texas that they have grown since 1947.  They cook it in their black-eyed peas.  "Rains" is from Dorris Smith of Alabama.  It was grown by her great-great-grandfather in the late 18th and early 19th century in Virginia and has been in her family ever since.
We are particularly excited about "Rains" for its history and "Giant Red".  We would like to compare "Giant Red" to a red okra that we currently grow "Bowling Red."  "Bowling Red" is beautiful, productive early and in cooler years, and less slimy when cooked.  

"Bowling Red" Okra

We seeded these trial varieties today and will keep you updated periodically as their evaluation goes forward.