Gardeners near Decorah looking for tomato varieties to grow next season now have three visitor favorites to investigate after a free tasting at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm near Decorah. The Aug. 22, 2026, event brought visitors together to sample, compare and vote on 22 tomato varieties.
The tasting did not produce one overall winner. Instead, attendees selected a favorite for each of three familiar uses: slicing, cooking and eating fresh from the garden. That makes the results a starting point for further research, not a universal ranking for every garden or growing season.
Which tomatoes led each category?
Bookie received the most support as a slicing tomato. Visitors favored it for fresh eating, including slices used in sandwiches, salads and similar meals.
Rizzi Softball Plum led the cooking category. Participants selected it for sauces and other cooked dishes, making it a possible variety for gardeners who plan to prepare or preserve tomatoes.
Chocolate Cherry was the favorite among visitors who preferred eating tomatoes directly from the garden. Seeds for the variety were available for purchase through Seed Savers Exchange after the tasting.
What the results mean for Decorah-area gardeners
The category results can help gardeners narrow a long list of tomato possibilities. People focused on sandwiches or salads may want to investigate Bookie. Those planning sauces or other cooked dishes can compare Rizzi Softball Plum with other cooking varieties. Chocolate Cherry may appeal to people who enjoy eating tomatoes immediately after picking them.
However, the votes did not establish that the three selected varieties will outperform every other tomato in every Decorah-area garden. Flavor and growing performance can vary depending on conditions and personal preferences. The results reflect what visitors liked during this tasting, rather than a definitive answer for every garden, recipe or growing season.
Sampling 22 entries also introduced attendees to tomatoes they might not otherwise have considered. By organizing the outcome around three common uses, the event produced a focused list for gardeners to research instead of naming one tomato as the best choice for every purpose.
Seed information and event support
Seed Savers Exchange provided follow-up information for people interested in the selected varieties. Attendees were directed to research Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry seeds could be purchased through the organization.
The tasting 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.