[Michlib-l] Seed Library responses

Sat Feb 24 09:59:45 EST 2018

Oh my gosh, I LOVE our library family!

Listed below are all the responses I received re: starting a seed library:

From: Hunt, April (MDA) <hunta9 at michigan.gov<mailto:hunta9 at michigan.gov>>
Date: Mon, Dec 29, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Subject: RE: seed saving
To: m riesterer <riesterm at gmail.com<http://gmail.com>>

Hi Mike,

Michigan has a Seed Law and Regulation, but nothing on point about seed
saving and non-profit seed libraries.   The seed program website is at:
www.michigan.gov/mda-seed<http://www.michigan.gov/mda-seed>

The law and regulation cover basic labeling requirements, but licensing or
registration of seed products in Michigan is not required.

April Hunt, Feed and Fertilizer Specialist
Pesticide & Plant Pest Management Division
Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development
P.O. Box 30017
Lansing, MI  48909
PH:  517-284-5644<tel:517-284-5644>  /  FX:  517-335-4540<tel:517-335-4540>

*Cathy Sullivan Seblonka** <cathys at uproc.lib.mi.us
<cathys at uproc.lib.mi.us>>*

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to placec

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also from Mike:

Here's how the Richmond Seed Lending Library has set up their seed library.

A good overview of the many details that go into setting up a successful
seed lending library are shown in Richmond's orientation video.

See video here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQEmmdfWhHI#t=103>.

*Cathy Sullivan Seblonka** <cathys at uproc.lib.mi.us
<cathys at uproc.lib.mi.us>>*

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to placec

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This is what I sent out to our staff just before we started:

> Hi, everyone.
>
> You may have noticed the old card catalog set up across from the circ desk
> with a sign on top announcing the coming of the seed library. The seed
> library is coming soon and will be called "Queen City Seed Library."
>
> Mike Resister from the Marquette Transition group approached me about
> starting a seed library at PWPL. Seems seed libraries are sprouting up
> across the US. There are about 460 of them, including one in the Munising
> Library. They are self-serve libraries.
>
> A group of Transition people/seed saver people met last week to begin
> organizing seeds in preparation for stocking the card catalog cabinet.
> Another work session is scheduled for next Sunday with the goal of
> beginning to stock the seed library early next week.
>
> Marquette Transition will be responsible for gathering and stocking seeds,
> putting them in envelopes, labeling them, providing directions, and
> keeping the old wooden card catalog supplied with seeds. (They will do all
> the dirty work :)) People will come and get seed packets and go home and
> plant. New seeds will be brought to the Transition/Seed Savers group for
> refilling next year.
>
> Michigan agricultural laws support this endeavor. The following is from
> April Hunt, Feed and Fertilizer Specialist, Pesticide & Plant Pest
> Management Division, Michigan Dept of Agriculture & Rural Development:
> Michigan has a Seed Law and Regulation, but nothing on point about seed
> saving and non-profit seed libraries. The seed program website is at:
> www.michigan.gov/mda-seed. The law and regulation cover basic labeling
> requirements, but licensing or registration of seed products in Michigan
> is not required.
>
> Our seed library probably will be only Non-GMO, heirloom seeds.  The seeds
> will come from the co-op or from seed savers exchange through the
> Transition group.
>
> Munising Library catalogs their seed packets but we will not do that.
> Jeremy will make a gardening bookmark for the top of the cabinet listing
> some books and directing people to our gardening book upstairs. And to our
> gardening periodicals. He'll do a fiction display and a non-fiction
> display of books once the seed library is up and running. We will
> advertise the seed library in our summer newsletter and the media. We will
> put a sign in the gardening section directing patrons to the seed library.
> The Transition group will have a public program about the seed library in
> the future.
>
> You can go to Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library at the Richmond Public
> Library, Richmond, CA website for further information
> www.richmondgrowsseeds.org
>
> If you have any questions, please ask me, or if you see Mike in the
> library, you may ask him, too.
>
> Please pass this information to your staff members. Ben, could you please
> print this out for the Circ staff since Bruce is out? Thanks, everyone.
>

Hi, Loretta:  Cathy Seblonka, from the Peter White Library in Marquette,
Michigan, asked me if I would tell you about how we set up our seed library
(housed at Peter White).

Because I'm so grateful to Cathy's efforts to open the door for a seed
library to be started at PWPL, I am very happy to lend a hand to you.

I'll start by seeing if I can quickly answer some of the questions you
submitted. My responses in *blue* :

Do you have patron's fill out forms to take and give seeds?
*Yes, we have a "Check-out" form that's kept in a binder. See attached
photo. *

*After the patron selects their seeds (limit of 5 varieties), the form is
filled out and placed in the back of the binder. Periodically, we check for
forms and then enter the patron's info. into our gmail contacts list (which
works as sort of a quasi database).*

Do you worry about non-gmo vs gmo, heirloom or organic seeds, or do your
donors just bring in generic seeds to share?
*Our seed library isn't even a year old, so we're doing things somewhat "on
the fly", but at this point, we provide the seeds from *
*sources that we trust. Sources include our local seed co-op and seeds
donated to us by seed companies and seed-related organizations. We also try
to use leftover seeds from our seed swaps, again, seeds we trust; there are
always lots of seeds left over from a seed swap and donating them to the
seed library helps keep the seed library stocked.*

Do you have "not responsible for...." notices with the seeds?
*No, not yet. As I mentioned, we're figuring things out as we go. I should
mention that the way our process works is a patron can select seeds with
the understanding that they are making a commitment to keeping some of the
plants they grow for seed harvesting at the end of the season and they are
expected to return some of the seeds from those plants at our fall seed
swap. I think our biggest challenge is getting people to return seeds.
We've got over 50 patrons since last March and only a couple patrons
actually returned seeds this past fall.*

*I'm happy to answer more questions, Loretta. I'll stop here and wait for
you to respond. I will close by saying that it wasn't too long ago that the
idea of starting a seed library seemed rather daunting. But with a small
group of dedicated stakeholders, it's been fun and rewarding — and not that
difficult (so far ☺ ).*

*I look forward to hearing from you, Loretta.*

Greetings, Everyone !

If you're wondering how we went from a *Seed Co-op* to a *Seed Guild**,* you
can get up to speed quickly by clicking here
<
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kPg9LNF6lxhQHQFD_MuWZBKqpLckFUdAnGFJCmF0yCc/edit?usp=sharing
>.
Otherwise, the following will give you a glimpse of what's going on with
the TMC Seed Guild.

*Seed Guild and/or Seed Library ?*
While seed guilds are less prominent than seed libraries, some communities
do have both. Marquette, as some of you know, has the Queen City Seed
Library <https://www.facebook.com/queencityseedlibrary/>. So, you might be
wondering to yourself "why do we need a seed guild *and* a seed library?"

A seed library provides seeds so people can start a garden. It also
introduces 'seed patrons' to the practice of saving seeds so the seed
library can be replenished and continue the seed lending process. When the
lending-growing-saving-returning process works — the seed library is able
to fulfill its mission.

A seed guild, on the other hand, uses its resources to identify, discover,
recover and propagate seeds that are specifically adapted to the regional
foodshed of where the seed guild resides. To do this a seed guild engages
experienced gardeners, farmers and other individuals who — *and this is
key*
— understand the value of preserving seeds that are adapted to the very
place people live. Locally adapted seeds can always be counted on to
survive and thrive — which is not always the case with seeds that come from
somewhere else.

Why are locally adapted seeds so important? Legendary seed saver, Sara
McCamant, states it this way: *To make a stronger local food system, **we
need to continually work at **bringing more local seed **into that food *
*system. **Sara McCamant,  Seed Savers Exchange
<
http://blog.seedsavers.org/blog/the-revolutionary-work-of-sara-mccamantand-seed-savers-exchange
>*

A seed guild, therefore, has a mission. The mission of the Transition
Marquette Seed Guild reads like this:

*The Seed Guild is to be a conservator of seeds specific to our regional
foodshed and will foster the growing out and sharing of those seeds with
the community.*

We have a document which explains how the Seed Guild will fulfill its
mission and we encourage you to take a few minutes to read it by clicking
here
<
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1AnSS_yAPn_2O02PNQBvcVTJcRpiWYgOpT9TJGvoPYtU/edit?usp=sharing
>.
*Our question is:*

*Are you interested in playing a role *
*in this adventure **to help **the Seed Guild *
*get started ?*

Click here <transitionmarquette at gmail.com> to send us an e-mail.

In closing, thank you for your involvement and support !

*Transition Marquette Steering Committee*

*Bosman, Don** <dbosman at lib.msu.edu <dbosman at lib.msu.edu>>*

Feb 23 (1 day ago)

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to me

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Probably thinking of

https://www.shareable.net/blog/setting-the-record-straight-on-the-legality-of-seed-libraries

*http://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/department-of-agriculture-cracks-down-on-seed-libraries/article_8b0323f4-18f6-11e4-b4c1-0019bb2963f4.html*
<http://cumberlink.com/news/local/communities/carlisle/department-of-agriculture-cracks-down-on-seed-libraries/article_8b0323f4-18f6-11e4-b4c1-0019bb2963f4.html>

*https://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-agriculture/seed-saving-seed-libraries-illegal-united-states.html*
<https://www.treehugger.com/sustainable-agriculture/seed-saving-seed-libraries-illegal-united-states.html>

Don Bosman

Information Technologist

MSU Libraries

366 W. Circle Drive
<https://maps.google.com/?q=366+W.+Circle+Drive+-+Rm.W441+%0D%0A+East+Lansing,+MI+48824&entry=gmail&source=g>
-  Rm.W441
<https://maps.google.com/?q=366+W.+Circle+Drive+-+Rm.W441+%0D%0A+East+Lansing,+MI+48824&entry=gmail&source=g>

East Lansing, MI 48824
<https://maps.google.com/?q=366+W.+Circle+Drive+-+Rm.W441+%0D%0A+East+Lansing,+MI+48824&entry=gmail&source=g>
-1048

517-884-0873 <(517)%20884-0873>

*Miriam Andrus** <mandrus at bigrapids.lib.mi.us
<mandrus at bigrapids.lib.mi.us>>*

Feb 23 (1 day ago)

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to me

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Cindi,

     You need to go to facebook and check out the Michigan Seed Library
page. There are all kinds of resources for creating a seed library and all
kinds of librarians that you can ask questions of. Monsanto is only
involved if you were going to be using GMO seeds, but trust me, you aren’t.
Unless you want to help people grow roundup ready wheat on a commercial
scale [image: 😊]. We are in the 2nd year of our seed library and had our
kickoff Monday of this week. If you can’t find what you are looking for on
the facebook page let me know. We would love to help you get started.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/368991503478080/

Miriam Andrus, Director

Big Rapids Community Library

426 S. Michigan Ave.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=426+S.+Michigan+Ave.%0D+Big+Rapids&entry=gmail&source=g>

Big Rapids
<https://maps.google.com/?q=426+S.+Michigan+Ave.%0D+Big+Rapids&entry=gmail&source=g>,
MI 49307

231-796-1055 <(231)%20796-1055>

www.bigrapids.lib.mi.us

*This institution is an equal opportunity provider. TRS users may dial 711
for service*

*Leelanau Township Library** <leelanautwplib at gmail.com
<leelanautwplib at gmail.com>>*

9:52 AM (23 hours ago)

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to me

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Hi Cindi,

The library I worked at before moving to Michigan had a seed library. The
library did run into legal issues, but was able to resolve them and the
seed library still a current offering. I wasn't a part of that project, but
they have a good website with FAQs. You can also do a news search for
Duluth seed library - the legal issues were covered quite a bit by the
local & state press.

http://www.duluthlibrary.org/adults/duluth-seed-library/

Nellie

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*LVW Mary Russell** <lvwoperations at llcoop.org <lvwoperations at llcoop.org>>*

10:14 AM (23 hours ago)

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to me

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Cindi,

We started one here 3 years ago and it is a big hit! Very easy to get
going and inexpensive.  I have done several presentations on starting one
so I can answer any questions you have.  I will also be doing a
presentation during Rural Library Conference this year.
As far as legal goes, nothing happening or will happen in our State.
I started an FB group for seed libraries to exchange ideas. You can join
here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/368991503478080/

Our website tells a bit about ours: http://tamaracklibrary.org/seed-
library/ <http://tamaracklibrary.org/seed-library/>

Good luck!

Mary Russell
Assistant Director
Tamarack District Library
832 S Lincoln Ave, Box 469
Lakeview, MI  48850
989-352-6274
tamaracklibrary.org

*Hope Nobel** <lvwdirector at llcoop.org <lvwdirector at llcoop.org>>*

10:25 AM (23 hours ago)

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to me, LVW

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You can’t do better than a conversation with the Assistant Director here at
TDL, Mary Russell.  She has built up a fantastic seed library, with great
accompanying programming.  I’m cc’ing her.

Legal ramifications are a non issue if dealing with the correct seeds.
Again, Mary will be able to get you on the right track.

Best of luck on your seed collection!

*Hope E. Nobel, M.S.L.S.*

*Director*

*Tamarack District Library*

*P. O. Box 469*

*832 South Lincoln Avenue*
<https://maps.google.com/?q=832+South+Lincoln+Avenue+*Lakeview,+MI%C2%A0+48850*+*989*&entry=gmail&source=g>

*Lakeview, MI  48850*
<https://maps.google.com/?q=832+South+Lincoln+Avenue+*Lakeview,+MI%C2%A0+48850*+*989*&entry=gmail&source=g>

*989.352.6274* <(989)%20352-6274>

*Suzanne Schimanski-Gross** <sschimans at ltu.edu <sschimans at ltu.edu>>*

10:30 AM (23 hours ago)

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to me

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Hi Cindy -

I do not have a seed library, but I have heard about seed libraries on NPR
and this story has some good leads on investigating legal ramifications.

http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2015/04/10/seed-libraries-seed-exchanges

The link to the original seed library brings you to what is now a seed
company.  Click on 'about us'.  Perhaps you have a local or nearby seed
company that you could partner with, rather than compete with to avoid a
legal challenge.  It might help for community outreach or support.  I am
brainstorming as I type, so forgive me if this is bogging down your
project.  I just thought of contacting MSU extension.  They have a seed
swap this Sunday in Midland

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/celebrated_the_annual_central_michigan_seed_swap

I searched their site for seed libraries, and they work with school
libraries to create them.  It seems they could branch to a public library.

http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/michigan_school_gardens_in_winter

Click on the link for the Seed Savers PDF near the end of the article, just
above the Related Events green bar.  The PDF gives instructions for setting
up a community seed bank.

The NPR story also has links to stories about seed label laws.  However, I
think sometimes there are loopholes when items are not sold, but given.
Maybe there is some kind of co-operative, non-profit, or educational
exemption.  Or possibly, they can be labelled properly to comply. Where
there is a will, there is a way, right?  I hope this story helps you to
find your answer.

As for Monsanto, I have heard that they are controlling about their seeds,
but perhaps working in heirloom seeds would avoid that.

This story about a Native American squash and seed bank is interesting.
Perhaps you could partner with a Native American tribe or tribes.

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/06/23/483147072/how-native-american-tribes-saved-a-giant-ancient-squash-from-oblivion

Best of luck to you.

-- Suzanne

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*Pam Quackenbush** <pquackenbush at lyon.lib.mi.us
<pquackenbush at lyon.lib.mi.us>>*

11:29 AM (22 hours ago)

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to me, michlib-l

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Hello - There are currently 41 seed libraries in Michigan, and more coming
along for this spring. On Sunday at the Central Michigan Seed Swap in
Midland there will be a presentation on starting a seed library, as well as
many other presentations. Free seeds will be available to everyone, but if
you are starting a seed library you can get extra seeds to get you going.
For more information visit the swap's website
http://www.smallhousefarm.com/seedswap/

Also check their Facebook page and message them if you want the starter
pack.  https://www.facebook.com/CentralMichiganSeedSwap/

Another helpful Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MISeedLibrary/
 and  the Community Seed Resource Program group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/673731699448199/

As for legalities, those have largely been put to rest. Most states have
agreed to exempt seed libraries from any rules that apply to companies who
sell seeds. Michigan is a very seed library-friendly state.

Pam Quackenbush
Library Technician
Lyon Township Public Library
27005 S. Milford Rd.
<https://maps.google.com/?q=27005+S.+Milford+Rd.+South+Lyon,+MI+48178+248&entry=gmail&source=g>
South Lyon, MI 48178
<https://maps.google.com/?q=27005+S.+Milford+Rd.+South+Lyon,+MI+48178+248&entry=gmail&source=g>
248-437-8800 ext. 617 <(248)%20437-8800>
pquackenbush at lyon.lib.mi.us
www.lyon.lib.mi.us

*Melissa Belevender** <melissabel at gmail.com <melissabel at gmail.com>>*

3:44 PM (18 hours ago)

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to me

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I suggest you communicate directly with the Pickford Community Library
Manager, Ann Marie Smith amsmith at uproc.lib.mi.us  She is a powerhouse of
community spirit and has worked closely with her rural community on this
project.

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Cindi L. Place
Reference & Technology Librarian
Boyne District Library
(231)582-7861
placec at boynelibrary.org
cindiplace at gmail.com
Google can bring you back 100,000 answers, a librarian can bring you back
the right one.

*–Neil Gaiman*
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