Regional SEED Variety research

Through our on-farm research, we are evaluating, trialing and actively breeding new varieties for the Long Island region.

Also, part of our initiative will be comprehensively providing historical data and information of Long Island and regional varieties. While some of these varieties are lost forever or on the verge of extinction it is important to have a record of them. We aim to make this compilation of historical ephemera and information available to everyone; from scholars to school gardens. It absolutely critical that a tangible written history be maintained so food culture can be passed on to future generations in addition to being celebrated now, rather than being lost to time.

We are currently researching, growing and building the seed stock of several heirloom varieties native to the island.  We are working to ensure these older heirlooms thrive once again on Long Island and become a unique part of the region's food culture.

breeding new regional varieties

Along with researching older heirlooms, the LIRSC works with breeders, farms and chefs to breed new regionally adapted vegetables. Through our on-farm research, we are evaluate and trial to expand diversity, to ensure public availability and most important of all, to perfect taste!  Currently, we are trialing several summer and winter squashes, corns, tomatoes and fall and spring greens.  We hope to perfect the strain and submit them to the Open Source Seed Initiative.

Shinnecock Tomato

The history of the Shinnecock tomato can be traced back to a currant tomato that is believed to have originated in Mexico.  The story stretches out across decades and geography as the seed has passed through many hands and hearts.  The present incarnation of this variety involves a few key players: Native Seed Search, Lamonte Smith, Jean Mundy, Seed Savers Exchange, and Steph Gaylor.  

A 1992 article from the NYT, interviews Lamonte Smith himself in discussing his seed saving endeavors and the origin of this tomato. We share this reprint with utmost gratitude for his generosity in saving and sharing seeds.

In the 1980‘s Lamonte Smith, as he was preparing a garden featuring native American varieties, began seeking seed sources such as Native Seed Search to grow and increase populations to share.

During a garden tour, Lamonte Smith generously shared the tomato seed with a psychology professor at Southampton named Jean Mundy.  In true seed saver fashion, Professor Mundy mailed the seeds to Seed Savers Exchange. 

SSE cataloged the seeds and not much interest was shown in the small current tomato until Steph Gaylor (local farmer, seed saver and founder of LIRSC) in search of regional orphan varieties to grow out, requested the “Shinnecock Tomato” as SSE had named this variety.

LIRSC began stewarding the seed in 2012.  The strength of the seed community saved the small tomato who’s ancestor is believed to be wild. 

The LIRSC had offered this Shinnecock tomato to the wider community until 2019.

We have ceased any and all distribution of the seed due to contentious issues with competing narratives and identity. We no longer grow this variety at all, nor will in the future, nor have the intention to adopt another local variety like this ever again.

Below is the genesis of the variety name changes and narrative. It has had 3 different names and different narratives within the span of 10 years.

The story of our participation with this seed is a single aspect when it began in 2012 and ended in 2019. We are grateful for the time we worked with the variety, and our part within its history, as can be referenced from above.

Iterations of descriptions of “SSE 3772”/”Shinnecock tomato”/”Shinnecock indian” variety over time since offered in 2011

SSE 2010 - not listed through the seed exchange.

SSE 2011 - listed as variety “SSE Tomato 3772.”

SSE 2014 - listed as variety “Shinnecock Indian” S. pimpinellifolium indet., regular leaf, inserted style; very small, round, currant tomato averaging 1.5 cm diameter, 2g; very high yield of very uniform fruit born in bunches og 5-6, very little cracking or blemishing; excellent eating qualities; when grown in 2010, these vines looked best throughout the season. FROM: Jean Mundy, East Hampton, NY SSE Tomato 3772

SSE 2017 - listed as variety “Shinnecock tomato” S. pimpinellifolium. Very small, round, currant tomato averaging 1.5 cm diameter, 2g. Very high yield of uniform fruit born in bunches of 5-8. Little to no cracking or blemishing. Excellent eating qualities. Plant were among the most healthy is 2010 tomato growout at Heritage Farm. Indeterminate, regular leaf, inserted flower stigma. Early maturing. Donated to SSE in the 1990s by Jean Mundy of East Hampton, NY. Originally from MR. Lamont Smith, a member of the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island, NY. Smith received the tomato variety from Ken Ettlinger of Long Island Seed and Plant. (CV lon) SSE Aceesion # 125154 FROM: Jean Mundy

ME LA N 2021 - listed as variety “Shinnecock Indian” Tomato/currant, Solanum pimpinellifolium, very small round, high yield, excellent to eat, early maturing. Shinnecock Nation Long Island, NY FROM: SSE Heritage Farm (IA SSE HF)