MINI SEED LIBRARIES!

From Santa Fe Public Library: Seeds for home gardening have been scarce, as many Americans hunker down and plant gardens for the pleasure of it and for the food resources. But there’s great news for Santa Feans who will be able to access a special cache of seeds. Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners, in partnership with the Santa Fe Public Library are creating free Mini Seed Libraries which will be placed around the county by Saturday, April 25. They consist of a representative selection of seeds that were to be distributed at the Seed Library at the Southside branch library on Jaguar Drive.

Because of the Governor’s orders, the library was closed and with it our thousands of seeds. At the same time, food scarcity and a high demand for seeds, which are sold out at many online and local retail locations, became a reality in our community. That was the impetus for liberating our seeds and distributing them via the “Mini Seed Library” project.

“We hope this supports the current high demand for seeds, helps address urgent food scarcity issues, and encourages people to start saving seeds,” said Santa Fe Extension Master Gardener Seed Stewardship Project co-leader, Susie Sonflieth.

Mini Seed Library locations, April 25 through June 15, unless otherwise indicated:
County Fairgrounds, Santa Fe,
3229 Rodeo Road–outside the white gate–Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Southside Library, Santa Fe,
6599 Jaguar Drive–under the portal–Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Reunity Resources, Santa Fe
1829 San Ysidro Crossing, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Call to confirm (505) – 490 – 1047
 
La Tienda, Eldorado
7 Caliente Road, Eldorado, Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
 
Galisteo Park, Galisteo, NM,
Next to the church on Camino Los Abuelos, April 25 and 26 only

The libraries will be self-serve and the seeds are free. People are asked to take only five packets per person and observe social distancing and use proper hand sanitizing and masks. Instructions for how to use the mini library while observing recommended safety regulations will be posted on each container as well as on a sign nearby.

In addition, seeds will be distributed to the Food Depot, Tewa Women United, and New Mexico Acequia Association to support their community food distribution programs. There will also be a container at the Community Garden on Cerro Gordo for their members’ use only.
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Growing tips and techniques, informational resources, and a planting calendar are available at https://SFEMG.org/seed-stewardship-project/