Juanita Smith Semi – Runner Bean Seeds

A heritage bean for dry use, it was stewarded for many decades by Juanita Smith.  She grew it for 50 or 60 years before passing it on to another grower, Oliver Ridley of Mountain Rest, South Carolina. Mr. Ridley then grew it in his gardens for nearly 50 more years.  It’s a variety that’s been kept alive through family and community seed saving rather than commercial seed sales, which is the case with many beloved Southern varieties.  I believe this is a dual purpose bean, for fresh snap beans as well as seeds.