Do you have a climber or a runner hanging around your garden shed? A Wanganui-based charitable trust wants them all!
The Central Tree Crops Research Trust is launching what it calls “The Great New Zealand Bean Hunt” for old and rare New Zealand bean varieties.
Director of the trust, Mark Christensen says the Trust’s vision is not just to save heirloom bean varieties but to improve the health of New Zealanders.
“The work we’ve been involved in so far with apples and tomatoes, has shown the nutritional properties of heirloom varieties tend to be greater than modern varieties which are bred for commercial production,” he says. “This programme will endeavour to get these wonderful old varieties out into the community so people can enjoy the wonderful diversity of this heirloom material, as well as their superior nutritional value. The Trust aims to find out just what varieties of beans we have in New Zealand, and which beans grow best for our particular climate and conditions. Many beans are also known under more than one name, which can cause confusion. It is hoped to be able to match varieties so that correct names can be determined.”
No bean is a has-been as the Trust is interested in the whole range of varieties including climbing and dwarf beans, runner beans and dry beans as well as Broad beans.
“We are looking for old varieties that people may be saving, or may be sitting in jars in garden sheds, or in old seed packets, never planted. Also if anyone has a special variety of bean that they would like to share, this would be very much appreciated,” says Mark Christensen.
Once gathered, the seed will be grown into plants, new seed saved and named before being given away, initially to residents of Wanganui through the “Grab a Bite That’s Right” programme, run by the Whanganui Regional Primary Health Organisation.
“Due to this country’s phytosanitary requirements it is extremely difficult to import beans from overseas,” says Mark Christensen. “Hence the Trust would appreciate receiving seeds or hearing from anyone who may be able to assist with information on old varieties – no bean is too old for this project.”
If anyone would like beans in exchange, the Trust is happy to return beans later in the autumn.
Apart from researching heirloom beans, the Trust is the coordinator for the research on the high-health Monty’s Surprise apple. This apple is currently undergoing animal trials in Strasbourg, France, to test its effectiveness against colon cancer. Other projects in progress involve the research into heirloom tomato varieties and their superior medicinal qualities over hybrid varieties, as well as research on a desert plant from Texas that contains high levels of a natural Trehalose sugar that is being studied for its ability to treat the symptoms of Huntington’s disease.
Beans can be sent to the Central Tree Crops Research Trust, PO Box 4088, Wanganui 4541 (phone 06 347 7734), email beanlovers@xtra.co.nz, or visit the website at www.treecropsresearch.orgBut if you live in the Patea area you could leave your beans with Margaret or Don Marshall at 195 Egmont Street. Please put them in an envelope with your name and address. Mark, the director of the Trust is their son-in-law and was the instigator of the Monty’s Surprise apple tree project that we had last year. Your apple tree should be in leaf now.
Posted by Cath Sheard 
