Bertie County Seeds, the “World’s Biggest Little Seed Store,” will celebrate our official Grand Opening on Saturday, March 21, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 124 S. Main Street, Colerain, NC 27924!
Our new storefront offers heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, connecting gardeners, farmers, and families to time-honored varieties rooted in tradition, resilience, and community.
As yall know, the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers is an initiative dedicated to protecting ancestral seed varieties and preserving premium seed diversity. After a year of renovating, remodeling, and settling in - we are finally ready to welcome the public to visit us in Colerain!
Bertie County Seeds, operated by Frank (Tuscarora) and Elizabeth Cain (Nottoway), is the first brick-and-mortar retail store under our parent organization of the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers, marking a new chapter in expanding Indigenous seed stewardship into a permanent, community-based retail space.
“After selling exclusively online for 7 years while operating out of our home in Windsor, we are absolutely thrilled to open our doors in historic Colerain,” said Elizabeth Roach Cain, co-owner of the Alliance of Native Seedkeepers. “We hear the best stories and truly love meeting folks from near and far!”
Frank Cain, co-owner of Bertie County Seeds, added, “Seeds have always been at the center of our survival, our culture, and our identity. Bertie County has very important, very deep roots for us. Opening this store in downtown Colerain is about honoring that history while helping our community grow into the future. We’re dedicated to providing high-quality heirloom seeds and create a warm welcoming space for growers of all ages and experience levels.”
As part of the Grand Opening celebration, Indigenous Chef Hadassah Patterson will offer Indigenous foods, showcasing traditional ingredients that highlight connections between seeds, land, and table.
Visitors to the Grand Opening can expect:
- Over 600 varieties of heirloom vegetable, herb, and flower seeds
- A live Indigenous cooking demonstration by Chef Hadassah Patterson
- A welcoming in-person shopping experience in historic downtown Colerain
The opening marks a new chapter for small-scale agriculture and seed stewardship in Bertie County, reinforcing our region’s agricultural heritage while expanding access to high-quality seeds for home gardeners and farmers alike.
Community members, local leaders, and media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting celebration and explore the store.
