Collecting and Cleaning Native Seed

Ron Endres has been harvesting and donating native seeds to non-profits over the last 13 years. His seeds have been used to plant more than 75 prairie, savanna, and woodland restorations in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa. Though he works alone, his 2022 harvest totaled over 600 lbs. of pure seed valued at over $225,000 representing 191 species.

Ron learned his craft working as a volunteer specializing in seed harvest, production, and planting with Dane County Parks. He understands seed cleaning through the use of large production machines as well as small, hand-processing methods. Ron will share techniques on how to harvest, dry, and screen seeds and what basic tools and equipment are used.

Ron has been the recipient of numerous awards including the Gathering Waters Conservationist of the Year (2016), Iowa County's Friend of Conservation (2021), The Prairie Enthusiasts local chapter volunteer of the year (2019), and SwampLover's Conservancy Conservation in Action Award (2013).