How Can We Help?
Written by Anaistasia Grey, Cultural Food Program Coordinator VISTA
The Seed Library accepts donations in a few forms:
- Direct donation of unopened seed packets, marked for sale by previous year (i.e., seed packet donated at end of Summer 2022, seed packet marked for sale by growing year 2021).
- Monetary donation, a dollar amount which will be set aside to purchase seeds (i.e., a $20 one time donation, or a seed drive where someone may donate the equivalent $ amount of a certain number of seed packs.
- Cultural seeds: culturally specific seeds shared from one particular community with the intention of returning seeds to their historical stewards (i.e., heirloom varieties of corn handed down over several generations)
If you would like to donate seeds, please mail to:
INSERT BEST MAILING ADDRESS FOR INDIVIDUAL SEED LIBRARY, TBD
While we would love to accept every seed packet, and we believe in creating as minimal waste as possible, we have strict guidelines for donations. We value our volunteers and client’s time, and try to avoid wasted time shuffling through old seeds.
Seeds accepted:
- Plain and simple, any unopened packets of seeds marked for sale no more than 1 year prior to the current date.
- NO invasive/noxious weed seeds (i.e. water spinach, mugwort, etc.)
- We KINDLY ask you to consider seeds from the list of requests from clients first, as many of these seeds are culturally important and can be expensive or hard to find. If there are no requests
Check the Current Seed Library Donation Requests sheet for donation requests. If there are no current requests, the following is a non-exhaustive list of possible donation options:
Amaranthaceae (Spinach-Beet Family)
- Amaranth
- Beets
- Goosefoot
- Spinach
Apiaceae (Carrot – Parsley Family)
- Carrot
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Celery
- Fennel
- Lovage
- Dill
Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)
- Asparagus
- Camas
Asterace (Lettuce – Sunflower Family)
- Artichoke
- Cardoon
- Tarragon
- Burdock
- Chamomile
- Chicory
- Chrysanthemum
- Coneflowers
- Cosmos
- Endive
- Marigold
- Stevia
- Sunflower
- Yarrow
- Zinnia
Brassicacae (Cabbage – Mustard Family)
- Arugula
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Collard Greens
- Horseradish
- Kale
- Kohlrabi
- Mustard Greens
- Radishes
- Rutabaga
- Turnips
- Wasabi
- Watercress
Cucurbitaceae (Cucumber – Squash Family)
- Cucumber
- Melon
- Summer Squash
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins & Other Gourds
Fabaceae (Pea – Bean Family)
- Snap Peas
- Snow Peas
- English Peas
- Green Beans
- Drying Beans
Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Hyssop
- Basil
- Catnip
- Marjoram
- Sage
- Salvia
- Savory
Liliaceae (Lily – Onion Family)
- Onions
- Garlic
- Chives
- Ramps
Poaceae (Corn – Grass Family)
- Corn/Maize
- Lemongrass
- Barley
- Millet
- Oats
- Wheat
- Teff
Polygonaceae (Rhubarb – Sorrel Family)
- Buckwheat
- Rhubarb
- Red Vein Sorrel
- Fresh Sorrel
Rosacea (Rose Family)
- Rose
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Blackberry
Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
- Tomato
- Pepper
- Tomatillo
- Ground Cherry
- Eggplant
- Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)