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It's a free magazine that supports communities to launch, maintain and grow their seed library and local resilience. Feel free to print any articles from our newsletters in your own community newsletters. 
Cool Beans! Seed Librarians' Newsletter
Current Issue:
Issue #8 January-February 2016
Sorry, the next issue may be in May or June. 

Past Issues:
Issue #7 August 2015
Issue #6 June 2015
Issue #5 May 2015 - Special Edition - International Seed Library Forum
Issue #4 March-April 2015
Issue #3 January-February 2015
Issue #2 October 2014
Issue #1 August 2014

What's a Seed Library?

A seed library is a place where community members can get seeds for free or for a nominal fee and is run for the public benefit. Many seed libraries are open in public libraries and community centers. For some communities, getting folks to garden and grow some of their own food is the focus. For other communities, seed libraries may be created as an important step to develop a network of seed savers, to create locally adapted varieties, to respond proactively to climate change or loss of gene integrity due to GMOs  or to preserve genetic diversity. Seed saving is something humans have done for over 10,000 years. Rejoin the ritual and start to save seed and share the abundance in your community.

This website features free resources on how to start a library, how to connect with others who have started libraries and offers resources and insight into how to maintain a library once started.

Let us know you're interested in starting a seed library by filling in our 2-3 minute survey. Periodically we send out awesome new resources or information on seed librarian gatherings. Once you've opened, we'll add you to our sister seed libraries list.

6th Annual National Seed Library Summit
& Heirloom Expo
September 6, 7 & 8
Santa Rosa, California, USA

Come join us at the National Heirloom Expo and celebrate biodiversity! This year we'll be hosting our 6th Annual National Seed Library Summit at the Expo on Wednesday, September 7th in the afternoon. (Time and location to be determined.) The Summit is free with the cost of admission to the Expo. Please let us know if you are planning on attending so we can make a name tag as well as inform you of updates on the time and location.  Register here. At the Expo, you will also be able to find the specific information a the SLOLA (Seed Library of Los Angeles) and Seed Savers Exchange tables.

Seed Libraries Legal Alert

Great News!
In July, the American Association of Seed Control Officials (AASCO), adopted an amendment to the Recommended Uniform State Seed Law (RUSSL) that exempts seed libraries from commercial regulations! This is great news because AASCO is a group of seed control professionals from each state department of agriculture that proposes the guidelines for seed that go out to every state legislature for consideration. Here is the non-commercial seed sharing amendment.

Background on the process
An AASCO working group met this past year to discuss seed libraries. The working group consisted of AASCO members, American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) members, and seed librarians. The amendment that the group wrote says that seed libraries are exempt from commercial seed law was adopted by the AASCO membership. Individual states adopt their own seed law, but it is excellent news that the recommendation from AASCO, ASTA and seed libraries is to exempt seed libraries and other non-commercial seed sharing from commercial regulations.

States that have already passed laws protecting seed libraries:
  1. Minnesota
  2. Nebraska
  3. Illinois
States that have positions on exempting seed libraries:
     Pennsylvania
States that have pending legislation:
     California (AB1810)

Want to learn more or help change your state laws?
Visit the Sustainable Economies Law Center (SELC). They have resources on how to get started.

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Sign up for our email alert.