Hudson Valley Seed Library-Get Your Seed On and Grow Something, Damn it!

Ken Greene and Doug Muller's idea of creating the Hudson Valley Seed Library-Heirloom Seeds With Local Roots was truly a brilliant idea that will help extend our knowledge of food past the local grocery store. The Hudson Valley Seed Library will also encourage the security and importance of a sustainable food supply.

The Hudson Valley Seed Library exists to create an accessible and affordable source of locally-adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring gardeners. After four years of developing the Seed Library concept, they are ready to blossom--from selling seeds that are grown in distant soils to cultivating a regional seed production network in New York State. In 2009, they will be offering over 15 varieties of locally grown seed, and most of our varieties will be rooted in the history and soils of New York. Using hand tools and low-tech processes, they cultivate dozens of varieties of agronomic plants on our own farm. We also collaborate with certified organic, certified naturally grown, and other small growers throughout our region to grow additional varieties. Thier goal is to offer high-quality heirloom seeds to the public through both our Seed Library program and retail sale.

Every year they plan on growing additional varieties on the Seed Library farm and contracting with organic and certified naturally grown farmers in the Hudson Valley to grow even more varieties. By 2014, they aim to be 100% New York grown. They invite you to join us in this effort by growing our seeds in your own home garden.

Anyone can buy seeds from the Seed Library catalog, which is available on the website. However, those who choose to become members of the Hudson Valley Seed Library receive a great deal and become involved in a community of regional seed-savers. The idea began as a seed-lending project at a local library. Under the current program, members can select ten packs of seed from the catalog( and additional packs at discounted rates), grow them in their home gardens, enjoy the flowers and eat some veggies, and if they so choose, save seed from the plants to return to the library. For each variety successfully saved and returned, members receive credit toward their next year's membership. This cooperative process creates a source of seeds grown in and adapted to our region.