Many Varieties of Seeds Are Becoming Extinct. Meet Two People Who Are Bringing Them Back.

Decades ago, as agriculture became centralized, seeds were selected for yield, and many varieties nearly went extinct. Now, a few intrepid farmers, entrepreneurs, and chefs and bringing back these heirloom seeds. On this week's Please Explain, Glenn Roberts and Dan Barber talk about heirloom  and other old seed varieties. Roberts is the founder of Anson Mills, which grows, harvests, and mills near-extinct varieties of heirloom corn, rice, and wheat organically. Anson Mills now works with 30 organic growers in six states to grow a variety of native heirloom grains. Barber is the Chef of Blue Hill and Blue Hill at Stone Barns, located within the nonprofit farm and education center, Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture. He's also the author of the book, The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food.