Rick, yes, I've read through *several* articles by Joseph. Very interesting information. He is definitely dedicated!!! The idea of landrace plants is intriguing. I'll have to let my landrace be a "just happened that way" plant.
His environment is definitely a hostile one for gardening and his story of his cantaloupe search was very interesting. It would really be interesting to plant a plot of many varieties of something and just sit back and see what grows, what dies, and what produces. Who knows, I might try that one season...maybe try cantaloupes. ;)
My idea is to try a few varieties, pick the fittest of the fit best producers and save the seed, rinse, repeat.