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Start a Seed Library - PEP BB community.straw.startseedlib

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posted 4 years ago

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This is a badge bit (BB) that is part of the PEP curriculum. Completing this BB is part of getting the straw badge in Community.

In this Badge Bit, you create a seed library!

Here are some related articles:
- How to Start a Community Seed Library
- Seed Libraries
- Start a Seed Library
- Starting a Seed Library

Here is what a seed library might look like:

(source: Pinterest.com)

This BB has a point range from 2 to 12 points:
- 2 points for buying 144 seed packets and putting them in a cardboard box
- 8 points for a nice wooden set up that looks good and has homegrown seeds
- 12 points for sheer magnificence

The minimum requirements for this BB are:
- Create a seed library
- At least 12 edible species
- At least 12 packets of each species
- At least 8 people check out packets
- Dry semi-secure location for the seeds
- Good signage and seed saving info

To document this Badge Bit, provide proof of the following as pictures or a video (<2 mins):
- show and describe the seeds for the seed library
- show the materials for the building the seed library
- show the construction of the seed library
- finished seed library in its permanent location
- show the minimum requirements have been met

COMMENTS:

George Yacus

pollinator

Posts: 553

Location: Mid-Atlantic, USDA zone 7

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posted 3 years ago

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Is there a minimum number of seeds per packet?

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Andy Gooding

Posts: 6

Location: Northampton, MA

posted 2 years ago

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Yooo I am a librarian by trade (15 years in the biz) and allow me to throw out this factotum: many public libraries can get stuff for free when they ask nicely. If you partner with your local permies, (and as referenced in a couple of those links public libraries are often enthusiastic about seed sharing,) you could save yourself a ton of money on seed packets going forward.

Also a note: within the profession, event programming is widely recognized as a big part of the future. Many a librarian spends their day scouring the web for free presenters. Check with your municipality's public library, no matter how big or small. They might like to host some permaculture classes.

If it ain't broke, I'll fix that for you.

Anne Fletcher

Posts: 21

Location: Berkeley CA

posted 2 years ago

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+1 @Andy!

Also a note: within the profession, event programming is widely recognized as a big part of the future. Many a librarian spends their day scouring the web for free presenters. Check with your municipality's public library, no matter how big or small. They might like to host some permaculture classes.

I've given two talks at my local library, both about seed saving. The reception was very warm and welcoming -- super fun to meet lots of interested gardeners! The library also has a seed library, hosts seed swaps, and even has seed starting pots to borrow. I highly recommend getting involved with the library!

On a mission to help you start seeds successfully
Orta Kitchen Garden Self-Watering Seed Pots

Jennifer Markestad

Posts: 181

Location: Tacoma WA

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posted 1 year ago

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Submission flagged incomplete

PEP Community - Straw - Start a Seed Library

Seed Share:
The first down-and-dirty iteration of the seed share was a plastic tote and zippie bags. Too much plastic but there were plenty of visitors.

The second iteration is up and filled. It's an upcycled kitchen cabinet with a savaged metal roof, both donated. I sealed the wood inside and out with coconut oil, then added the door and metal roof. It is mounted on a T-Post at the end of the driveway, near the fence. The pink tote is now for donations.

The seeds are a mix of organic commercial and locally harvested. I filled the cabinet with 12qty of 12 varieties in small coin envelopes. Each paper packet includes just enough seeds for a typical urban family garden. The backstock stays in a cooler to stabilize temperature. I'll continue to pack more envelopes to refill when it is not so hot and smoky.

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seed-library-12x12.jpg

12 packs of 12 varieties of plants for food.

Nautilus Guild - A Safe Place to Grow. All are welcome here!

PEP - BB20 Badge (verified skill)
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Staff note (gir bot) :

Paul Fookes flagged this submission as not complete.
BBV price: 1
Note: Good start Jennifer. We need to see the 12 packets of each edible species so they can be counted. The purple coneflower is not strictly edible. It is used for traditional medicine. This is a difficult BB as you can see by the point scoring range. Looking forward to the second iteration.

Staff note (Paul Fookes) :

I pulled this out of a site on how to start a seed saving library: So how does a seed library work? A seed library takes some time and effort to put together, but the way the library works is very simple: gardeners “borrow” seeds from the library at planting time. At the end of the growing season, they save seeds from the plants and return a portion of the seeds to the library.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Seed Lending Library: How To Start A Seed Library https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/propagation/seeds/how-to-start-a-seed-library.htm
One of the requirements is that 8 people check out packets. You could show this by keeping a lending and return card for each lot of seeds or a log.
I suggest is that you create your own project log in permaculture Projects: https://permies.com/f/69/projects If you need help ask like you did for this BB.
Hope this helps. Happy for you to PM me if you need a hand.
Cheers

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