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Hartland Seed Library

small_HPL_LOGOThe Hartland Seed Library is an initiative developed by the Hartland Public Library and local volunteers. The goal is to support and encourage seed saving efforts in the Hartland community. 

Vegetable seeds will be available to “check out” for the growing season. The first year will focus on open-pollinated lettuce, beans, peas, and tomatoes,  which are relatively easy for beginning seed savers. Participants will save seed from some of the crops they grow to return to the library at the end of the season. The Library will offer educational support, including pamphlets, books and workshops, to help beginning seed savers.

More info about the Hartland Public Library: www.hartlandlibraryvt.org

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Seed Library Launch Event for 2015

Saturday, April 18th, 10am – noon

Join us for the official launch of our seed library for 2015! We’ll have seeds available to borrow, and will offer some basic instruction for beginners. From 10:30 until 11 local seed savers Sylvia Davatz and Brian Stroffolino will give an overview talk about seed saving.

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Seed Library Launch Party

Poster created by Sarah

Poster created by Sarah White

Our seed library launch party, held on Saturday March 29th at the Hartland Public Library, was a great success! Around 35 people showed up to learn more about the project, and 18 borrowed seeds for the season. Brian Stroffolino, seed library volunteer and Hartland farmer, gave an overview of seed saving techniques to a packed crowd.

Thanks to our seed library volunteers, who brought refreshments, helped to give out seeds, and answered questions. And a big thank you to all of our seed donors – Sylvia Davatz (Solstice Seeds), Brian Stroffolino (HeartLand Farms), Seed Savers Exchange, and High Mowing Seeds.
Seed Library Launch 003Seed Library Launch 002

Thanks to everyone who came to check out seeds! We still have seeds available from the four crops we’re offering this year (lettuce, tomato, bean, and pea). Stop by the Hartland Public Library anytime during open hours to check out seeds. And stay tuned for info about educational workshops that we’ll offer later in the season. Contact Library Director Amy Wisehart at director@hartlandlibraryvt.org for more info about the project.


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Hartland Community Connections Breakfast

On a freezing, snow-covered Saturday morning in early January, the Hartland Community Connections breakfast brought Hartland residents together to talk about seeds and the proposed Hartland Seed Library

The goal of the Seed Library, initiated by Hartland Library’s Director, Amy Wisehart, is to support and encourage seed saving efforts in the Hartland community.

Response from breakfast attendees was enthusiastic with lots of questions and suggestions. There was  hope that middle-school students would be involved. Many asked for workshops on building healthy soils. Both Brian Stoffolino (Oak Wood Farm, N. Hartland) and Jaxson Morgan, Hartland Community Connections Director) suggested a harvest potluck for sharing experiences, threshing seeds, and further building this community of seed savers. Hartland seed-saver Sylvia Davatz recommended the book “Seed to Seed” as a great resource for those interested in saving seeds.

What a wonderful way to build community, increase local resilience . . . and re-use those outdated library card catalogs!