Gardeners near Decorah have three locally tested tomato varieties to consider after visitors sampled and voted at a free Aug. 22, 2026, tasting at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm near Decorah. The gathering did not produce one overall winner. Instead, participants selected a favorite for each of three common kitchen uses: slicing, cooking and snacking.

The category-based results give area gardeners a practical starting point when planning future plantings. The best choice may depend on whether tomatoes are headed for sandwiches and salads, sauces and other cooked dishes, or direct eating from the garden.

Which tomatoes won each category?

  • Bookie: Visitors gave the most support to Bookie as a slicing tomato. It was selected for fresh eating, including slices for sandwiches, salads and similar meals.
  • Rizzi Softball Plum: This variety led the cooking category. Participants selected it for sauces and other cooked dishes, including uses that may appeal to gardeners who plan to prepare or preserve tomatoes.
  • Chocolate Cherry: Chocolate Cherry was the favorite among visitors who preferred eating tomatoes directly from the garden. Seed Savers Exchange listed seeds for the variety for purchase.

What the tasting means for Decorah-area gardeners

The results provide a focused local reference, but they do not guarantee that the three winning varieties will outperform every other tomato in every garden around Decorah. Growing conditions, recipes and personal taste can affect plant performance and flavor.

The results also highlight the importance of intended use. A tomato that performs well when sliced may not be the best fit for sauce or for eating on its own. Gardeners can use the category winners as a starting point, then compare them with their growing conditions, recipes and personal preferences before choosing what to plant.

Visitors compared 22 varieties at the gathering, which brought together tomato lovers of all ages. Reducing those entries to three varieties tied to familiar kitchen uses created a targeted list for additional research and introduced participants to tomatoes some visitors might not otherwise have considered.

Seed information and Heritage Farm’s role

Seed Savers Exchange provided follow-up information for gardeners interested in the selected varieties. Participants were directed to research Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry seeds were available for purchase through the organization.

The free gathering was part of Seed Savers Exchange’s broader seed-preservation work at Heritage Farm near Decorah. Visitors sampled, compared and voted while learning more about the organization’s work with seeds and plant varieties.

Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks supported the tasting. Seed Savers Exchange also thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and voted.