Seed Swap planned for January 31 at Cooperative Extension

Posted 19 January 2026 at 11:30 am

Provided photos: Tables were set up in alphabetical order, with seeds of all types displayed for participants to take during the Seed Swap in 2025. Throughout the event, amounts of seed fluctuated as participants donated and selected seeds to take home.

Press Release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans Community Seed Share will host its annual seed swap on Saturday, January 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the CCE Orleans “Buzz” Hill Education Center, 12690 State Route 31, Albion. The free event is open to gardeners of all experience levels.

Participants are encouraged to bring seeds to share, including open-pollinated varieties, locally saved seeds, and excess seeds from orders or donations. All contributed seeds will be displayed on tables alongside seeds from the Orleans Community Seed Share collection. Attendees may browse and select seeds to take home for their 2026 gardens.

A sampling of the vegetable seed packets available through the Orleans Community Seed Share.

The event will feature seed and gardening demonstrations, activities, and information about two new 2026 Seed Share initiatives:

One Seed, One Community: Working with the CCE Orleans Food Distribution program to teach participants how to grow nutritious food and save seeds.
Grow a Row: Partnering with the Master Gardener Vegetable Variety Trial Gardens to encourage community members to dedicate garden space to specific crops, gathering data about variety performance and seed-saving techniques.

Seeds not accepted at the swap include F1 hybrids, patented varieties, poisonous, noxious or controlled seeds, and seeds from unknown volunteer plants.

No registration is required for this event. Contributors may remain with their donated seeds during the event to provide growing advice and information, but it is not necessary.

The Orleans Community Seed Share cultivates community resilience and biodiversity by preserving, sharing, educating, and celebrating the heritage of seeds and plant propagation.

For any questions or more details, contact Katie Oakes, Master Gardener Coordinator and Horticulture Educator at Cornell Cooperative Extension Orleans County at (585) 798-4265 ext. 125 or klo54@cornell.edu.