IImportant!
You can't require returns! If you require that members return seeds, this can be interpreted as you being in a contractual agreement and acting as a "seed distributor", which could require that you follow regulations for seed companies and distributors.
However, you can encourage people to donate seeds.
Questions to Consider 🤔
- Do you have a goal in terms of the percent of locally saved seeds you would like to offer? If so, why is that important?
- How will members be informed of how to return seeds?
- What information will members need to know about which seeds are accepted and what information is required on the labels?
- Will you accept genetically diverse seed? (In other words, are you open to sharing seeds that may have intentionally or unintentionally crossed?)
Seed returns can be a challenge for many seed libraries, but creating a solid action plan can help. If your community has few gardeners, your primary focus might be on increasing access to locally grown foods, with seed saving being a future goal.
For urban settings where growing space is limited and food security is a pressing issue, consider de-emphasizing individual seed saving. Instead, partner with urban farms, schools, or community groups to facilitate seed-saving efforts, especially for nutrient-dense crops.
In your library's first year, prioritize spreading the word and building awareness. Education on seed saving can evolve as your project grows— it doesn’t all need to happen at once. Focus on what excites and motivates your community.
Here are some actions to help improve seed returns and build engagement:
Provide Brochures on Seed Saving
You can use this ready-to-go seed saving brochure (Spanish, French) on super easy crops to save. Just add your library information and print. You can also take the text and make your own. All of our resources are in the public domain and no attribution is necessary. If you have made brochures on seed saving, please consider adding them below in the Community Created Resources "Add Your Resources" or browse "Community Tips and Resources" that others have added.
Encourage Saving "Super Easy" Plants
Seed quality is a concern in many seed libraries as most people did not grow up saving and sharing seeds. To ensure the quality of your stock, encourage people to start by saving plants that are extremely self-pollinating. This makes them "super easy" to save reliably and come out like the parent plant. Some "super easy" plants are listed below. Print or post the seed saving posters.: (Other posters coming in spring 2025) Seed Saving Best Practices Poster
For urban settings where growing space is limited and food security is a pressing issue, consider de-emphasizing individual seed saving. Instead, partner with urban farms, schools, or community groups to facilitate seed-saving efforts, especially for nutrient-dense crops.
In your library's first year, prioritize spreading the word and building awareness. Education on seed saving can evolve as your project grows— it doesn’t all need to happen at once. Focus on what excites and motivates your community.
Here are some actions to help improve seed returns and build engagement:
Provide Brochures on Seed Saving
You can use this ready-to-go seed saving brochure (Spanish, French) on super easy crops to save. Just add your library information and print. You can also take the text and make your own. All of our resources are in the public domain and no attribution is necessary. If you have made brochures on seed saving, please consider adding them below in the Community Created Resources "Add Your Resources" or browse "Community Tips and Resources" that others have added.
Encourage Saving "Super Easy" Plants
Seed quality is a concern in many seed libraries as most people did not grow up saving and sharing seeds. To ensure the quality of your stock, encourage people to start by saving plants that are extremely self-pollinating. This makes them "super easy" to save reliably and come out like the parent plant. Some "super easy" plants are listed below. Print or post the seed saving posters.: (Other posters coming in spring 2025) Seed Saving Best Practices Poster
Seed Saving Instructions on Seed Packets
Use the auto seed wrapper to quickly make seed packets that you can use year after year that include varietal information, planting instructions, and seed saving information. Visit our Envelopes and Labels page to download the auto seed wrapper and learn more about it..
Use the auto seed wrapper to quickly make seed packets that you can use year after year that include varietal information, planting instructions, and seed saving information. Visit our Envelopes and Labels page to download the auto seed wrapper and learn more about it..
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Vet Donated Seeds
We have created an Embrace Diversity! sign that you can post. It helps you and borrowers identify which locally grown seed are likely to be as labeled. It's similar to the "Super Easy", " Easy", and "Difficulty" labels that we have recommended for years. Vegetable seeds are marked with one of three categories:
Offer Classes on Seed Saving
We have a public domain Seed Saving in Community Class about how to save common vegetables. All of the photos are license-free. Your community can use this as is or as a starting point to create your own class. You may be interested in the Training the Trainer Seed Saving Primer resource from Organic Seed Alliance. They also offer a downloadable and customizable seed saving class.
Post How to Donate Info.
Be sure to clearly explain to members how and where to donate as well as any labeling requirements. Most seed libraries require as a minimum the common name, variety (or description), and year harvested. Here are some resources to get you started:
We have created an Embrace Diversity! sign that you can post. It helps you and borrowers identify which locally grown seed are likely to be as labeled. It's similar to the "Super Easy", " Easy", and "Difficulty" labels that we have recommended for years. Vegetable seeds are marked with one of three categories:
- Very likely as labelled ("Super Easy")
- Possibly diverse ("Easy")
- Very likely diverse ("Difficult")
Offer Classes on Seed Saving
We have a public domain Seed Saving in Community Class about how to save common vegetables. All of the photos are license-free. Your community can use this as is or as a starting point to create your own class. You may be interested in the Training the Trainer Seed Saving Primer resource from Organic Seed Alliance. They also offer a downloadable and customizable seed saving class.
Post How to Donate Info.
Be sure to clearly explain to members how and where to donate as well as any labeling requirements. Most seed libraries require as a minimum the common name, variety (or description), and year harvested. Here are some resources to get you started:
- Seed Envelope Template (Version 1) - This version is helpful if people want to print multiple envelopes to stick in the jar or envelop for other borrowers to take. You can make the name optional, if you prefer.
- Provide pre-printed envelopes in your library. Here is a sample rubber stamp you can make.
Download this sign above in the "Vet Donated Seeds" section. It is a sign you can post in your library and use at seed exchanges to educate borrowers.
Pima County Seed Libraries' Seed Donation ENGLISH Form, Pima County, AZ, USA.
Biblioteca de Semillas de la Condado de Pima, Formulario de DonaciĆ³n de Semillas (espaƱol) , Pima County, AZ, USA.
Donation box at Richmond Grows Seed Lending Library, Richmond, California, USA.
Ways to Increase Seed Returns
- Start a Grow a Row Program
- Connect with Master Gardeners, school gardens, horticulture departments, and garden clubs
- Host a One Seed, One Community project
- Learn more about seed saving
Community Created Resources
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Click on the "Community Tips & Resources" Airtable form to see Donation Forms & Procedures from other seed libraries and read tips about getting started.
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Do you have donation forms or procedures that you would like to share with the community? Click on the Airtable form below to share your resources or any tips you have?
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