Sources of Seeds
Seeds for your library can be from a variety of sources.
Organizations: Seed Savers Exchange with the support of Seed Matters offers support, including seed to seed libraries through their Community Seed Resource Program. Your organization can also get a free set of seed cleaning screens through the project.
Companies: Most libraries start off, and continue to get, donations from companies that are in alignment with their values and have taken a non-GMO pledge. You can write to different companies explaining your project and request seeds. If you are asking members to save seeds, then ask for non-hybrid seeds. Hudson Valley Seed Library also has an annual donation. You can apply here.
Local Seed Savers: Check to see if there are local seed savers or even a seed savers club in your area. You may also want to connect with local garden clubs to see if they have members that save seeds and would be willing to donate and perhaps teach some courses.
Master Gardeners: Seed saving has not been a big part of many master gardener programs, but that is changing. There are often at least a handful in the cohorts that are seed savers. They also are required to do community projects and one idea is to get your project on their list. That way the Master Gardeners are more likely to want to teach courses for you since it counts towards their required hours of service.
Horticulture Departments: Connect with some local community colleges or universities that have horticulture programs. Often they have seeds saved and are able to donate some.
School & Community Gardens: Some seeds may be hard for your community members to save reliably if large populations are required and you are in an urban setting. Create connections with school gardens (Master Gardeners are helpful here) or community gardens to see if they can grow out some seed for you.
Free Seed Screens: A set of three seed cleaning screens are available from SeedMatters.org, a philanthropic branch of Clif Bar, for local seed initiatives. They also have resources on seed swaps, seed protocol and much more. NOTE: They are in transition and another organization is taking over distribution in spring 2014. Click on the above link to get updates and where to go.
Helpful Suggestions
1. It's helpful to create a document of seed companies with addresses, contacts, and when and/if you received from the different companies. Google docs are a great way to go since the document can be accessed and edited by multiple members.
2. When you get your seed donation, if you get lots of repeats and your system is a self-serve, then you may not want to put all the packets out. Some members may see 10 packets of Lola Rosa Lettuce and take an entire package and your collection can be decimated quickly. If there are limited quantities of each, people may be more mindful and take what they need. Also be sure to have signage out such as "Take only what you need" or "Take 2-3 for each plant you intend to grow or a pinch of smaller seeds."
3. Join Seed Savers Exchange. They are promoting seed libraries. You may be able to find some local seed savers in their catalogue who could give you seed, provide mentoring or teach classes.
4. If you have questions about the quality of see you may get from donations, check out our "forums" tab.
Organizations: Seed Savers Exchange with the support of Seed Matters offers support, including seed to seed libraries through their Community Seed Resource Program. Your organization can also get a free set of seed cleaning screens through the project.
Companies: Most libraries start off, and continue to get, donations from companies that are in alignment with their values and have taken a non-GMO pledge. You can write to different companies explaining your project and request seeds. If you are asking members to save seeds, then ask for non-hybrid seeds. Hudson Valley Seed Library also has an annual donation. You can apply here.
Local Seed Savers: Check to see if there are local seed savers or even a seed savers club in your area. You may also want to connect with local garden clubs to see if they have members that save seeds and would be willing to donate and perhaps teach some courses.
Master Gardeners: Seed saving has not been a big part of many master gardener programs, but that is changing. There are often at least a handful in the cohorts that are seed savers. They also are required to do community projects and one idea is to get your project on their list. That way the Master Gardeners are more likely to want to teach courses for you since it counts towards their required hours of service.
Horticulture Departments: Connect with some local community colleges or universities that have horticulture programs. Often they have seeds saved and are able to donate some.
School & Community Gardens: Some seeds may be hard for your community members to save reliably if large populations are required and you are in an urban setting. Create connections with school gardens (Master Gardeners are helpful here) or community gardens to see if they can grow out some seed for you.
Free Seed Screens: A set of three seed cleaning screens are available from SeedMatters.org, a philanthropic branch of Clif Bar, for local seed initiatives. They also have resources on seed swaps, seed protocol and much more. NOTE: They are in transition and another organization is taking over distribution in spring 2014. Click on the above link to get updates and where to go.
Helpful Suggestions
1. It's helpful to create a document of seed companies with addresses, contacts, and when and/if you received from the different companies. Google docs are a great way to go since the document can be accessed and edited by multiple members.
2. When you get your seed donation, if you get lots of repeats and your system is a self-serve, then you may not want to put all the packets out. Some members may see 10 packets of Lola Rosa Lettuce and take an entire package and your collection can be decimated quickly. If there are limited quantities of each, people may be more mindful and take what they need. Also be sure to have signage out such as "Take only what you need" or "Take 2-3 for each plant you intend to grow or a pinch of smaller seeds."
3. Join Seed Savers Exchange. They are promoting seed libraries. You may be able to find some local seed savers in their catalogue who could give you seed, provide mentoring or teach classes.
4. If you have questions about the quality of see you may get from donations, check out our "forums" tab.
