Describe Project and Impact:
Our Metro Grows Community Seed Exchange will connect members with the resources and experiences they need to grow their own food, connect with their local community, and gain new knowledge.
Project Description and Expected Outcomes:
Our members will use their library cards to check out vegetable, flower, and herb seeds that they will take home to plant and grow. Members will be encouraged to harvest and return seeds, using a seed return protocol, to our designated library seed exchange locations.
A seed exchange will connect our members with the resources they need to grow their own plants, for both enjoyment and self-sufficiency, by offering easy access to community sourced seeds. Cookbooks and horticulture books along with quality plant-based programming will be marketed alongside our seed exchange to help provide our members with the know-how and support they need to “grow.” Possible community partners to collaborate with include the Oklahoma County OSU Extension Center, Oklahoma City County Health Department, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, area farmers’ markets, HealthCorps at Astec Charter School, and other local schools and social agencies.
A potential funder for the project, as it expands, would be TSET. They provide Incentive Grants to communities throughout Oklahoma to support improved health for every Oklahoman.
Why should we select this project?:
We grow smarter communities, one person at a time, when we provide our members with the resources they need to empower their lives. We serve diverse populations throughout our library system and work within many communities that are facing food insecurity. By piloting a seed exchange at one or more of our Metro locations, we have the opportunity to grow our local communities in a new way by increasing seed access and introducing new and current members to our extensive collection of print and electronic materials related to gardening, cooking, homesteading, etc. This pilot project would also allow us to partner with local schools and social agencies in Oklahoma County, thus amplifying our overall community reach and impact.
Constraints, Limitations, or Dependencies:
Space for seeds and staff time related to materials, programs, and outreach will be the two biggest constraints.
Partner/Supporting Departments:
Cataloging
Development/Volunteer Services
Marketing
Materials Selection
Outreach
Public Services
Tech Processing
Other Indicator:
Increased Circulation and Attendance
