Gardeners near Decorah have three crowd-tested tomato varieties to consider for next year after visitors at Seed Savers Exchange’s Heritage Farm sampled and ranked 22 entries during a free tasting on Aug. 22, 2026.
The event did not produce one overall champion. Instead, participants chose a favorite for each of three common kitchen uses: slicing, cooking and snacking. The category-based results give local growers a practical starting point as they plan future gardens, while leaving room for differences in growing conditions, personal taste and recipes.
Which tomatoes won?
- Slicing: Bookie
- Cooking: Rizzi Softball Plum
- Snacking: Chocolate Cherry
Bookie received the highest ranking among tomatoes intended to be eaten in slices. Rizzi Softball Plum led the cooking category, and Chocolate Cherry received the strongest support as a snack.
For Decorah-area gardeners who enjoy fresh tomato slices, Bookie may be a variety worth investigating. Those planning to use their harvest in cooked dishes could look into Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry may appeal to people who prefer eating tomatoes directly from the garden.
What the tasting means for local growers
The three winners are best viewed as a shortlist rather than a declaration that one tomato is right for every garden or household. A variety’s suitability can depend on local growing conditions, individual preferences and how the harvest will be used.
The tasting also introduced participants to tomato varieties they may not have encountered before. Separating the voting by use connected the results to everyday planting decisions: whether gardeners want tomatoes for fresh slices, recipes or quick snacks.
The gathering was part of Seed Savers Exchange’s broader seed-preservation work. Gardeners interested in the winning varieties can continue researching them through the organization’s Exchange. Seed Savers Exchange directed readers there for Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry seeds were listed for purchase through the organization.
The tasting was free and open to tomato lovers of all ages. Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks supported the event, and Seed Savers Exchange thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and voted.
For growers deciding what to plant next, the tasting offers three locally tested starting points: Bookie for slicing, Rizzi Softball Plum for cooking and Chocolate Cherry for snacking. The organization’s seed offerings and preservation work provide the next place to explore those choices.