Master Gardeners hosting first Seed Swap on Saturday

Photo by Myron Sharvan: Julia Bender, along with other Master Gardener volunteers, teach the educational classes associated with the Orleans Community Seed Share on the third Saturday of every month. 

Press Release, Master Gardeners of Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans Community Seed Share (OCSS), a program of the Master Gardeners at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension, will be hosting their first annual Seed Swap this Saturday, March 22 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The OCSS is a new project for Master Gardeners, spearheaded by Master Gardener Julia Bender.  In addition to the Seed Swap this Saturday, the project includes a monthly education series dedicated to all topics in growing and saving seeds as well as the seed library housed in the Orleans County CCE office building.  Learn more about the project at the Orleans County CCE website (click here).

An example of some of the donated seed packets that will be available at the Seed Swap Saturday.

The Seed Swap this Saturday will be an informal way for community members in Orleans County to share their own seeds as well as take some new-to-them seeds home. The Swap is open to anyone, but in the true spirit of a “swap,” Master Gardeners request that if people are planning to take seeds home, they should try to bring some seeds to donate in exchange.

“I think the Seed Swap this Saturday is more about community – connecting in real time with your neighbors and friends, discussing different plants and what and how you like to garden,” explained Julia Bender, a Master Gardener volunteer, who was asked why people might choose to come to the Seed Swap instead of just utilizing the Seed Share library on their own time,  “It’s also an opportunity to chat with Master Gardeners, learn more about the classes we offer, ask questions, etc.”

Donated seeds can include hand harvested seeds from residents’ own gardens or purchased seed that they are not planning to use. There is no charge for the Seed Swap, and it is an open event- people can come and go at any time within the 1-4pm timeframe.

“The Seed Swap is about sharing the heritage of our community’s gardens and taking home the promise of tomorrow’s harvest,” summarized Bender, who started the project in memory of her mother, Sally Bender.

This first Seed Swap will be held this Saturday, March 22 from 1 p.m to 4 p.m. in the “Buzz Hill” Education Center at the Orleans County CCE Office. Please contact Katie Oakes, Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener Coordinator,  at klo54@cornell.edu or 585-798-4265, ext. 125 with any questions.