Native Seeds/SEARCH Opens Arizona's First Seed Library in January

Claire Lawton | December 12, 2011 | 12:30pm

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If you're looking to expand your garden or want to soak in the essence of our natural landscape, you'll want to check out the brand new library at Native Seeds/SEARCH.

The Tucson-based non-profit maintains one of the world's best bioregional seed banks (currently home to more than 1,900 accessions of native, arid lands-adapted native crops).

According to a release from the organization, the library will function much like a book-lending library; members check out seeds, grow their own plants, and "return" seeds harvested from their plants to the library that can then be used by other members.

As the library expands its collection, the seeds grow stronger and better adapted to local growing conditions.

"In the age of Monsanto and climate change, seed libraries are one of our best hopes for communities to really sustain their own local food production," writes Bill McDorman, executive director of the organization. "Communities are taking ownership of their seeds and expanding biodiversity and self-reliance in the process."

The seed library will be located inside the organization's retail seed store at 3061 North Campbell Avenue in Tucson. Membership is free and open to the public. An opening celebration will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on January 15.

For more information, check out the Native Seeds/SEARCH website.

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