Seed Library

Purpose

The NPL Seed Library is a non-profit seed sharing resource open to everyone in Nevada and the surrounding Story County area. Our seed library offers a collection of heirloom and home-grown vegetable, herb and flower seeds at no cost. We strive to provide education about growing and saving seeds through in person programming and written materials. NPL Seed Library is open whenever the library is open. You do not need to have a public library card to use this resource.

Process

1. Do your research. Utilize the handouts provided or check out books to help in the selection of the seeds you want to try.

2. Choose your seed(s).Take only what you can use in your personal garden.

3. Record the kinds of seeds and number of packets on the Checkout Cards provided. Keeping records of our seed library users and the seeds used helps us with inventory and information on what seeds to provide in the future. It also lets us know who to contact for future programs or volunteer opportunities

4. Grow your plants! Sow, water and weed! Let us know how things are growing.

5. We encourage you to harvest a portion of seeds to return to the Seed Library, although this is not a requirement.

How You Can Help

1. Save seeds from the flowers or vegetables that you grow. See information in handouts provided and return dried seeds in bag or container with the information requested on the Saving Seeds Card. Fill out as much information as you have. It’s ok if you do not have it all.

2. Recommend a program or a speaker.

3. Donate garden seeds you may have left over if they are in the original packaging.

4. Volunteer to help with maintaining the NPL Seed Library on an ongoing basis.

Iowa Code 

21—40.16 (199) Seed libraries. A qualified seed library may be a library district formed under Iowa Code section 336.2, a library board functioning under Iowa Code section 392.5, or an Iowa food bank or Iowa emergency feeding organization recognized by the Iowa department of revenue. A qualified seed library is subject to permitting by the department, but is not subject to labeling, testing and fees for giving, distributing or exchanging agricultural seed as long as all of the following apply:

1. The exchanges or distributions are made at a single location and no money is exchanged;

2. All seed is intended for planting in Iowa;

3. Individuals receive two pounds or less of seed annually;

4. The seed has not been treated with pesticide;

5. Patented, protected or propriety varieties of seed are used or included in the qualified seed library only with the permission of the patent or certificate holder, developer or owner of the intellectual property associated with the variety;

6. The certified seed status is not misused or misrepresented; and

7. The seed has not been placed under a stop sale order by the department or any other regulatory agency.

[ARC 2041C, IAB 6/24/15, effective 7/29/15]