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 produced a favorite for each of three everyday uses rather than naming one overall champion.
The category-based results give local growers a practical starting point when deciding what to plant. Bookie led the slicing category, Rizzi Softball Plum was the top choice for cooking, and Chocolate Cherry received the strongest support as a snack.
The three tomato favorites
- Slicing: Bookie
- Cooking: Rizzi Softball Plum
- Snacking: Chocolate Cherry
For people who enjoy fresh tomato slices, Bookie may be a variety worth investigating. Gardeners planning to use their harvest in cooked dishes could look into Rizzi Softball Plum, while Chocolate Cherry may appeal to those who prefer eating tomatoes directly from the garden.
What the tasting results mean for gardeners
The tasting’s format connected each result to a specific kitchen use. Participants could choose tomatoes for fresh slices, recipes or quick snacks instead of trying to identify a single variety suited to every purpose.
Seed Savers Exchange’s results should be treated as a shortlist, not a guarantee that one tomato will perform best in every Decorah-area garden. The source notes that growing conditions, personal taste and recipes can affect which variety works best. Household preferences and how the harvest will be used also matter.
The gathering introduced participants to tomato varieties they may not have encountered before. Gardeners interested in the winners can continue researching them through Seed Savers Exchange’s Exchange. Bookie and Rizzi Softball Plum were directed there for further information, while Chocolate Cherry seeds were listed for purchase through Seed Savers Exchange.
A free event tied to seed preservation
The tasting was open to tomato lovers of all ages and formed part of Seed Savers Exchange’s broader seed-preservation work at Heritage Farm. Decorah Bank & Trust Co., Mountain Rose Herbs and Streamworks supported the event.
Seed Savers Exchange thanked the people who sampled the tomatoes, shared their opinions and voted. For growers planning next year’s garden, the event offers three locally tested starting points: Bookie for slicing, Rizzi Softball Plum for cooking and Chocolate Cherry for snacking.