If you grow it, they will come. And read. Not exactly a Field of Dreams reference, but it feels pretty spot on for this library in Basalt, Colorado. It seems to be flourishing with its card catalog system that turns into a seed lending program. Yes, you heard me right.
Seeds for various types of vegetables and herbs are free to take out whenever library-goers please. No late fees, no charges.
“Our patrons check out seed packets on their library cards, just as they do books or CDs,” says Gail Owens, coordinator of the library’s seed lending program, to Reader’s Digest. The one request is that those who have a successful harvest from their batch to bring them back for future success with planting.
Image Via Reader’s Digest
Stephanie Syson, a permaculture teacher and herbalist who helped launch the program, explains how they got their full seed stock. “We gathered healthy vegetable, herb, and flower seeds adapted to this environment… Our starter stock was donated by area farmers, gardeners and seed companies that offered organic, heirloom and open-pollinated (nonhybrid) varieties.”
Image Via Reader’s Digest
Just weeks before the grand reveal, all the library employees had to divide the bulk of the seeds into about 2,000 small packets. After that, they separated them based on the difficulty of growth. With plenty of seeds and gardening videos to go around, readers with a green thumb were thrilled.
Now, there are over 400 seed libraries that help give food and produce back to the churches and communities in need all over. It seems that love can grow even in the most unexpected of places.
Featured Image Via Plant Care Today