1006: Seed Libraries: Growing Community, Resilience & Local Seed

A Seed Chat w/ Rebecca Newburn

Rebecca Newburn, co-founder of Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library and a leader of the Seed Library Network, joins Greg Peterson for a conversation about the power of community seed libraries. They explore how seed libraries differ from seed banks, why local seed matters, and how seed saving can increase biodiversity, food resilience, and community connection. Rebecca also shares new resources for seed saving, education, children, librarians, and communities that want to create their own seed-saving cohorts. The conversation ultimately comes back to a simple idea: seeds are life embodied, and they sprout hope.

Key Topics & Entities

Seed Library NetworkRichmond Grows Seed Lending LibrarySeed libraries vs. seed banksCommunity seed saving and sharingLocal and regionally adapted seedSeed diversity and biodiversityPermaculture and traditional wisdomSeed-saving educationSeed-saving cohorts and teacher trainingSeed-saving guidelines and chartsSeed libraries in public libraries and schoolsFood resilience and cultural preservation

Key Questions Answered

What is a seed library?

A seed library is a free community resource where people can get seeds without paying for them or being required to return seeds. When gardeners learn to save and return seeds, the library can become increasingly self-sustaining.

How is a seed library different from a seed bank?

Seed libraries generally serve home gardeners and don't require seeds to be returned. Seed banks are more commonly associated with farmers and often require a return of seed in greater quantity than was borrowed.

Where did the modern seed library movement come from?

Rebecca was inspired by BASIL, the Bay Area Seed Interchange Library at the Berkeley Ecology Center. While taking a permaculture design course, she connected with one of its founders and decided to develop a replicable model for creating seed libraries.

Why is local seed so important?