Nelson Seed Library StartUp

The Nelson Seed Library is set to open in June 2016 - the first public seed library in the top of the South.

The seed library hopes to raise awareness of seed saving and encourage Nelson communities to bring it back into our everyday gardening practices. Seed saving contributes to making sustainable communities and helps us preserve our seeds' genetic diversity.

Anyone can come along to the seed library and borrow some seeds for the growing season. At the end of the season, they will collect the seeds from the plants that have grown, keep some seed for themselves and return the rest to the library for others to borrow.

The new library will feature seeds of all types, including vegetables, fruits and flowers, grown by a mixture of local seed savers and commercial organizations.

Funds from this Givealittle Project will be put towards purchasing seed storage facilities and a range of seeds, and covering essential administrative operating expenses.

Key expenses include:

- A cabinet / set of drawers

- Jars, labels and silica gel sachets

- Envelopes and a custom stamp for borrowing seed

- Signage to guide seed library users

- "Hard to save" seeds, to fill the gaps in Nelson Seed Savers' and Permaculture in Nelson Group's collections

- Photocopying registration and other forms

- ...and perhaps an opening celebration cake!

The Nelson Seed Library will be located within the Elma Turner Library and will have the same opening hours.

We'll be celebrating our opening at the library on Saturday 11th June between 2pm and 4pm - everyone is welcome!

More information about the seed library, including information for anyone who would like to donate seed, can be found at http://nelsonseedlibrary.weebly.com