Suffolk County, New York
Free seeds by mail? Yes, and from Patchogue-Medford Library
“We emailed all of our seed members throughout Suffolk County and asked them, ‘Would you like us to mail seeds to you?'” said the library’s head of promotions and development, Laura Accardi. “The response has been tremendous. Folks really want to get in their yard and plant!”
“Our hope is that families will explore their yard, plant a seed or create a garden, water it, watch it grow, harvest it, eat from it and save a seed from it,” she said of the overall program.”
Exactly how does a seed lending library work? Well, much like a traditional library, but not quite. When the library building is open the public is able to browse and “borrow” seeds to take home and grow.
At the end of the growing season they’re encouraged to collect seeds from their healthiest crops and return them to the library that February — during the annual seed swap — for others to “borrow” and enjoy.
“Now more than ever, it is so important to maintain a sense of community,” Accardi said.
“Our building is closed, but the library is very much open.”
For additional information, contact Laura Accardi at
[email protected], or
call her at
631-654-4700 Ext. 225, or
631-327-6340 or visit
http:/pmlib.org/seed-lending-library/#top.
***
New Mexico
New Mexico State University promotes Seed to Supper program for New Mexicans
Part of NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service, the Seed to Supper program provides free seeds and gardening guidance to New Mexicans who register for the online course or who participate offline with a paper-based booklet on introductory gardening techniques.
Seed to Supper is federally-funded by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and was created by NMSU’s Ideas for Cooking & Nutrition (ICAN) program.
New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said this is a perfect opportunity for families during the spring planting season.
“This program aims to support physical distancing and bolster New Mexicans’ access to healthy food during the COVID-19 health emergency,” said Witte. “It’s also an excellent educational opportunity for families to learn about agriculture in our state.”
New Mexicans who wish to participate in this free program can sign up at this link, or call
1-877-993-3637 during business hours to speak with someone or leave a message. Participants will receive:
Four packets of vegetable seeds appropriate to their region of New Mexico. Options may include leafy greens, melons, root vegetables and squash.
A “Quick tips” guide on how to start a vegetable garden at home (including guidance for families whose housing arrangements require container gardening).
“Now is the perfect time to learn to grow your own food, and we can help,” said Sally Cassady, ICAN Food Systems Specialist with the NMSU College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. “Start with something simple, like growing lettuce in a container. Your confidence will grow along with your garden, and soon you’ll be enjoying your own harvest – in your own home.”
The majority of the program’s financial support comes from federal SNAP funds. For New Mexicans who wish to participate but are not eligible to participate in SNAP, booklets will be provided by NMSU’s Cooperative Extension Service.
“Part of the NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the Cooperative Extension Service’s mission is to provide research-based information to improve New Mexicans’ lives,” said Dean Rolando Flores, Chief Administrative Officer at the College of ACES. “We are proud to offer this resource to help all New Mexicans during this pandemic.”
NMSU Extension offices are located in every county in the state. Visit the
Extension website to locate the office in your county.
***
Bedford Hills, New York
Bedford Giving Free Sunflower Seeds To Show Community Resilience
The packets of seeds are free to anyone who comes to the town offices, located at 425 Cherry Street in Bedford Hills, beginning Saturday, April 25.
The packets will be located in a marked container. People are asked to take one packet per family on an honor system, while practicing safe social distancing while at this site.
The seeds were donated by Katonah's Kelloggs and Lawrence Hardware Store and by Conservation Board member Susan Roos.
Organizers said sunflowers are the perfect symbol for our times.
"They are tall and beautiful, bloom all summer, are one of the most prolific sources of food to our valuable pollinator insects, and will provide the grower with an abundance of edible and delicious seeds within 100 days of planting," according to a news release.
"Just think, by mid-summer, Bedford will be in full-bloom with sunflowers, visible from our streets, each showing that we, as families and as a community, are resilient, and we will get through this together," organizers said.
"We all know the problem of coming up with ways of helping our neighbors in this time of need, but must stay at home in order to stop the spread of the corona virus," said Simon Skolnik, chairman of the Bedford Conservation Board. "Well, here's a way each family can say: 'We care! We Stand with You! We will get through this together!' As florists are always telling us: 'Say it with flowers!' "
***
Florida
TIPS: How to stay sustainable during the coronavirus pandemic
Source food from local farmers. A lot of farmers are affected by the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns – mostly because of restrictions in movement and the general slowdown of public life. A number of organizations have been helping farmers sell their
vegetables. You can check out
Kadiwa on Wheels for their schedule or check your local community if they've set up a bulk buying system that sources directly from farmers.
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Plant your own vegetables, fruits, and herbs. Another way to be sustainable is to plant and grow your own food. Buy seeds from reputable sellers or, if you have the means, visit the
Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Plant Industry office, which give out seeds for free. You can plant them in pots you may already have lying around or you can upcycle and reuse existing containers. That way, you save money, help the environment, and get the satisfaction of harvesting your own crops.
You should also check with your own local goverment unit and the local DA office to see if you can get free seeds or seedlings from them.
Make your own disinfectants, cleansers, and shampoos. If you are sensitive to ingredients in your beauty and cosmetic products or home disinfectants, try to make your own. There are a number of videos online that'll teach you how to make environmental-friendly
shampoos, cleansers, and
house sprays. If you’re not comfortable making your own, check out companies that offer eco-friendly options you can try such as
ZenNutrients,
Human Nature,
Healthy Options,
Messy Bessy, and
Kalikhasan.
Just make sure to note that your disinfectants should contain alcohol to properly kill off viruses and that nothing beats good old soap and water when cleaning your hands and person.
Cook your own food. Since we're all supposed to stay at home anyway, now is the time to learn new tricks in the kitchen. Cooking your own meals mean you know what's in it, you're sure nothing bad is in it, and you're more conscious of where your ingredients are from. Here are some
easy recipes you can try out. If you have leftovers, you can always save it for later or share it with a close friend (sans physical contact, of course). (WATCH:
Making the most out of pantry basics)
***
Stamford, Vermont
Gardening Group Offering Free Seeds
A local gardening organization is shifting its priorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the past three years the Stamford Vermont Seed Savers has promoted gardening in the town by making seeds available to gardeners through an annual seed swap and by managing an educational garden at the local elementary school. This year, because of anticipated impacts of the pandemic on the economy and local food insecurity, the group's members are shifting their efforts toward growing food for those in need.
Using emergency grant funding that was awarded by the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, the Seed Savers are offering free seeds to town residents who want to plant a spring garden.
"Having a garden is a great way to stay busy and engaged during this time of isolation and social distancing," said Stephen Greene, program coordinator. "It gives you something meaningful to do, and everyone in the family can get involved."
SVSS is encouraging people to grow food for their own households and to share their produce with the rest of the community as they are able. Those who want to get a jump on the season can contact SVSS to place a seed order to be picked up at the "potting shed" set up in a private garage. Materials for starting seeds in flats are also available. A pick-up time can be arranged by calling
802-694-1526. A list of available seeds can be found on the “Resources” page of their
website.
Stamford residents feeling inspired to start a new garden, but aren't sure how to get started, can either sign-up to manage a bed at the Stamford Community Garden or apply for a raised-bed to be delivered to their home with plants and seeds included. This final offer will be on a first-come-first-served basis for a limited number of beds. Interested parties should contact the SVSS by
email or by calling
802 694-1526.
***
Southborough, Masssachusetts
Library Seed Exchange: Sign up for free seeds through the mail (Updated)
Two weeks ago, the Library launched the new initiative, inviting the public to request seeds through the mail. They posted:
The staff at the Southborough Library would like to move forward with the Library Seed Exchange. In light of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have made some changes to the exchange. The library is going to move the exchange as an online by-request-only service for the time being. . .a
The hope is that this gardening effort would be reminiscent of Victory Gardens. Victory Gardens, also called war gardens, were vegetable, fruit, and herb gardens planted at private residences and public parks in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany during World War I and World War II. Besides indirectly aiding the war effort, these gardens were considered a public morale booster in that gardeners could feel empowered by their contribution of labor and rewarded by the produce grown. This made Victory Gardens a part of daily life on the home front.
We would love to see how your garden is growing and would encourage you to email us pictures to
[email protected] so we can share them with the broader community on our social media.
Happy planting. Thank you for helping the Southborough Library grow!
Initially, patrons could choose up 10 packets from a long list of flowers, herbs, fruits and veggies. The response was overwhelming. They received 105 requests in 10 days.
The request form has now been updated. Patrons currently can request up to 6 packets per family, selecting by category of flowers, vegetables, or a mix of both.
Participants are encouraged to share photos of their gardening efforts through email (to
[email protected]) and/or on social media using #sblibSeeds.
Photos aren’t the only thing the Library hopes gardeners will share. The concept behind exchange is that plants can ultimately be harvested for seeds to donate back to the Library’s catalog for next year.
The Seed Exchange idea was brought to them by a Library patron who had seen its success at another library. It was made possible through the sponsorship of the Friends of the Southborough Library. Seeds were contributed by volunteers in the community.
Updated (4/22/20 8:49 am): I forgot to include the link! Sorry.
Click here to sign up.
***
Johnson County, Iowa
Free seeds available for ambitious gardeners
Master Gardener, Linda Schreiber tells me that “Although our fourth-year event was canceled it doesn't mean we aren't offering seeds to the public. Seed Share is going online. Gardeners will be able to choose from a listing of seeds posted to the JCMG Facebook page beginning April 15. A listing of available seeds by brand (business name) and variety will be posted to Johnson County Master Gardeners Facebook page. The free seeds are available to residents of Johnson County only.
Gardening enthusiasts can email their requested order to
[email protected]. When the order is ready for pickup, JCMG volunteers will email you and meet you at the Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 S.
All seeds are free. Yes, all seeds are free. Just go into the JCMG Facebook page and see the enormous list of seeds received from Burpee, Earl May Iowa City, Fedco, Peaceful Valley/Grow Organic, Renee's Garden, Seed Savers in Decorah, Territorial Seeds and Victory Seeds.
This is a wonderful opportunity and a generous gift from JCMG and the suppliers.
Linda tells me she is making seed packets out of newspaper (the P-C is well represented.) and using a magic marker to identify each kind of plant.
There seems to be hundreds of choices on the website. Plenty of vegetables from asparagus to beets to Brussels sprouts, to corn and onward through the alphabet to zucchini. Flower choices include cosmos, marigolds, mums, moonflowers and morning glory. Print out the list if you can and start checking the ones you like.
***
McKean County & Potter County, Pennsylvania
Master Gardeners program to sponsor Growing Gardeners webinars
Penn State Master Gardener Program is sponsoring a series of gardening webinars for youth.
They begin Friday, and will continue until the end of August. Topics will include pest education, seeds, soil, planting, compost, plant parts, the water cycle and more. The webinars will allow youth to learn and engage in recommended activities at home to incorporate science, math and lots of fun in their own backyards.
Parents are encouraged to view the webinars with their children.
The webinars are geared towards K-4th grades, but all youth are welcome. There is no cost, but people must register online to participate. Go to
extension.psu.edu to register. Once at the site, type GROWING GARDENERS in the search box and click on the link to register.
All McKean and Potter County youth who register, can receive free seeds to grow their own vegetables. Participants must register on the link provided. This offer is available until seed supply is exhausted.
Any questions, feel free to call
814-887-5613 Ext. 208, and leave a message, or email
[email protected].
Youth who post pictures of their plants growing on the Penn State Master Gardeners of McKean County facebook page will be eligible to win prizes throughout the summer.
***
RhodeIsland
Group sees significantly more interest in Little Free Libraries
In addition to books, Friends partnered up with the local nonprofit Revive the Roots, an agriculture outreach program, to provide a free seed library alongside the Little Library books.
According to Lynn, seeds are donated from the University of Rhode Island’s Master Gardeners program to libraries every spring. Those seeds are usually given to members of the community through the libraries. Due to closures, that was not possible.
“I thought, how do we get these seeds out to people. I called Revive the Roots and they were thrilled to help,” Lynn said.
Hannah Martin of Revive the Roots said the library is stocked with all the staples for starting a garden, including herbs and vegetables. The library began last week, and Martin said she has not seen it used often.
“I’m sure people will start taking advantage of it,” she said.
“Feel free to take what you need. Feel free to donate seeds,” Martin said.
Martin said the Seed Library at Revive the Roots is located on the tool wall past the main gate in the community garden near the cobb oven. Plots are still available for rent in the community garden, she said.
Contact Martin at
[email protected] for more information.
For where you can find other Little Free Libraries, visit
www.littlefreeibrary.org .
***
California
Reviving the Victory Garden: CSUN Encourages Self-Sufficiency for Earth Day, and Beyond
The institute’s staff, students and faculty have launched a “virtual victory garden” campaign to grow food at home, open to the entire CSUN community and beyond. Those who wish to participate can
sign up online to have free seeds delivered to their mailbox in two to three weeks.
A National War Garden Commission poster from 1918 promoting war and liberty gardens. Image courtesy of Natale Zappia
Victory gardens hark back to the war gardens and liberty gardens promoted by the U.S. National War Garden Commission during World War I and victory gardens during World War II. During both wars, Americans were called on to “grow food in whatever spaces they could — rooftops, fire escapes, empty lots, backyards,” according to
The New York Times. Canada, Britain and Australia also planted their own victory gardens during World War II, with Canadians also growing war gardens in World War I.
“It maintained that there was nothing more valuable than self-sufficiency, than working a little land, no matter how small, and harvesting your own eggplant and tomatoes.” WWII victory gardens grew approximately 25 to 40 percent of the country’s fruits and vegetables, said Natale Zappia, director of CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability.
To kick off its celebration of Earth Month, on April 1 the institute offered a webinar taught by master gardener Scott Murray, on how to access the resources needed to join the “
Victory Garden Challenge” and start growing food at home.
“The fastest thing you can do to improve your food security is to start this garden,” said Murray, who has been an organic farmer for more than 45 years and a past instructor in CSUN’s popular CSUN-al Gardening series.
Renee’s Garden, a seed distribution company, is providing the seeds at no charge to the institute, who will then send them to participants in the Virtual Victory Garden Challenge. Participants can also attend free online classes on gardening (thus the “virtual” component of the garden challenge) and becoming self-reliant by growing their own food.
For more on CSUN’s Earth Month virtual programming, visit
Earth Month. Members of the CSUN and wider communities who plant victory gardens are encouraged to share their ideas, inspiration and progress on social media, using the hashtags
#virtualvictorygarden and
#sustainCSUN, and tag and follow
@sustainCSUN on Twitter and Instagram, and
@CSUN.Sustainability.Institute on Facebook.
) and his street’s volunteer made him leek and potato soup - her son made him ‘the best chocolate cake ever, CeeCeeCat’ last weekend...I am truly grateful for the kindnesses people are showing him.
I do NOT want the stress of rushing a bee-stung cat to the vets...
I’m just the groundskeeper.
