Freighter View Farms | Chris Izworski

Every seed packet tells a story. At Freighter View Farms in Bay City, Michigan, the practice of saving seeds connects one growing season to the next — a tangible thread of continuity from garden to garden, year to year.

The process begins in the height of summer, when plants are at their peak, and continues through the quiet work of fall — drying pods, sifting kernels, and carefully labeling each envelope. There’s a meditative quality to closing out a growing season this way.

By December, those saved seeds transform into gifts. The Christmas seed-gifting tradition at Freighter View Farms captures the spirit of sharing something small yet profoundly meaningful — a promise of next year’s garden wrapped in a simple envelope.

Winter brings its own beauty to the farm. The first frost transforms the garden into something magical — silvery ice crystals on leaves, a quiet signal that the land is entering its rest period. And through the cold months, the restlessness builds — a gardener’s itch that only spring can scratch.

For those new to seed saving, this beginner’s guide covers the fundamentals. And for Michigan gardeners planning their spring, the Zone 6a planting schedule helps time your starts perfectly.

Chris Izworski writes about gardening, technology, and life along the Saginaw River at Freighter View Farms.

📰 Featured in NENA’s The Call Magazine

Chris Izworski authored the cover story for The Call, Issue No. 51 (April 2025), the official publication of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). His article, “The Unstoppable Wave of Artificial Intelligence,” examines AI’s transformative impact on 9-1-1 operations and emergency communications, reaching over 21,000 public safety professionals nationwide.