In the past, Darrell has been a Stockbroker, Bank Trust Officer and Doughnut Maker. Since 1990, he has gardened on the old home-place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 1994, he introduced Oklahoma gardeners to the wonderful world of Heirloom Tomatoes, for which, he became known as "The Tomato Man". He continues to offer Heirloom Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants and Herbs, on site only, at his small farm.
In 1998 he began to offer garlic. Beginning in 1996 he has now accumulated a collection of 465 cultivars. He is an active member of the Seed Savers Exchange and offers this collection through their annual yearbook. (Join the SSE if you wish to request varieties from his collection. See our connecting link to the SSE or their web site: www.seedsavers.org). He is currently preserving, multiplying, evaluating and distributing some 280 cultivars from the SSE collection and 170 cultivars from the USDA collection. He now answers to the moniker of "The Tomato Man with Garlic Breath!"
Following is an assigned short essay for English Class, with the subject of "A Person I Know" written by Darrell's gardening friend, 14 year old Mark Weedn of Cyrill, Ok. He received an "A".
The Real Old-Time Farmer
Mr. Darrell Merrell of Tulsa, Oklahoma is what I call a real-old time farmer. He is one of the few people in Oklahoma that raises heirloom tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and garlic. Mr. Merrell is a member of the "SSE" or the Seed Savers Exchange.
Mr. Merrell wears a straw hat and overalls. He also smokes a pipe. His house is over 50 years old, and he hangs his laundry on a line to dry. He works outside at a table under a shade tree. Customers visit him most of the day to buy his plants.
Mr. Merrell also has a wonderful sense of humor. He likes to say his brother is Burl Ives, but Hollywood didn't like Merrell as a last name, so they changed it to Ives instead. I think he looks like Santa Claus because of his beard. He like to call me a celebrity since I was on channel 13.
Mr. Merrell is trying to preserve varieties of tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant that are 100 to 150 years old. He is a very dedicated and caring person to do this job. He is the real old-time farmer.
