seed-saver and Songkeeper
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William Ritter is a seasoned old-time fiddler, seed-saver, and ballad singer from the mountains of Mitchell County, North Carolina. Deeply passionate about preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of his region, William weaves together stories, songs, and seeds, believing that these old ways hold the key to building resilient communities. His dedication to Appalachian traditions led him to a life-changing apprenticeship with renowned ballad singer and storyteller Bobby McMillon in 2020. The following year, William released his first solo album, Mentor, paying tribute to the mentors who generously shared their wisdom and heritage with him.
William’s music is a heartfelt blend of old-time fiddle tunes, folk songs, ballads, and original compositions that celebrate seed-saving and cultural preservation. His performances and programs are enriched by tales and insights from his studies in Appalachian Roots Music and his experiences during porch visits, bean-stringings, and seed-swaps. |
The Resonance Sessions is a powerful collection of live recordings featuring 35 regional musicians, captured in the weathered shell of the Old Marshall Jail. Digital release, Bandcamp, March 10, 2025
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What is SOng to Seed?
Song to Seed practices, celebrates, and advocates for community-building traditional Appalachian seed saving and music traditions by: sharing and growing regional historic crops, helping put on events that feature Appalachian folkways, and by creating educational programs and resources.
Seed saving is deeply important work. In addition to being connected to the preservation of local culture, local seed saving initiatives are vital to preserving genetic diversity, ecosystem health, and the nutritional value of the food that we eat. Due to industrial agricultural methods like monocropping, the United States lost 93% of vegetable varieties from 1903 to 1983. This loss makes our communities and food system more susceptible to threats like drought and blight, while also weakening the reserves for flavorful and nutritious local food.
Seed saving is deeply important work. In addition to being connected to the preservation of local culture, local seed saving initiatives are vital to preserving genetic diversity, ecosystem health, and the nutritional value of the food that we eat. Due to industrial agricultural methods like monocropping, the United States lost 93% of vegetable varieties from 1903 to 1983. This loss makes our communities and food system more susceptible to threats like drought and blight, while also weakening the reserves for flavorful and nutritious local food.
Our Programs
Song to Seed offers a number of different services and programs including:
- Solo, Duo, and Trio multi-instrument music performances featuring traditional music, songs and stories.
- Lectures on traditional seed saving or Western NC Music.
- Organizing Seed Swap & Shares.
- Event curation for featuring traditional mountain folkways in festivals, etc.
Our Seeds
Our heirlooms are the real deal--locally adapted and passed down to us from friends and family to grow, and share, with you! We don't sell our seeds online, but let us know if you'd be interested in helping to organize a seed swap or in your area. We greatly value the community-building practice of exchanging seeds (and songs) in person.
Our Homestead
In the fall of 2020, after our first season in Happy Valley, NC, Song to Seed relocated to William's hometown (and homeplace) in Bakersville, NC. Here in the Roan Highlands, we're growing on the land that William grew up on--the same land that fostered William's connection to soil, song, seeds, and creatures (read chickens) great and small. The growing season is a bit shorter here, but most of our seeds are already adapted for higher elevations.
We're grateful to be back in Bakersville amongst friends and family, and to have this opportunity to continue loving this place alongside our neighbors.
We're grateful to be back in Bakersville amongst friends and family, and to have this opportunity to continue loving this place alongside our neighbors.
