About Us
Posted on January 3, 2012 by ken There have been 16 comment(s)
The Seed Library grew out of a germ of an idea at a small town library in the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York. Over the past eight years, the idea has grown and blossomed into an online seed library focused on the Northeast and a full seed catalog for all gardeners. Today, the Seed Library has its own seed farm where open-pollinated seeds are grown, saved, and packed by hand. There are close to one thousand seed library members and thousands more buy our unique Art Packs and heirloom seeds every year.
The Hudson Valley Seed Library strives to do three things:
1. to create an accessible and affordable source of regionally-adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring farmers and gardeners
2. to create gift-quality seed packs featuring original works designed artists in order to celebrate the beauty and diversity of heirloom gardening.
3. to help farmers, gardeners, and eaters understand where seeds come from, how they are grown, who grows them, and why seed saving is more important than ever.
In 2012, we expect to offer over 60 varieties of locally grown seed and around 140 varieties sourced from responsible seed houses. Most of our varieties are rooted in the history and soils of New York or are chosen because they do well in the Northeast. Every year we plan on growing additional varieties on the Seed Library farm and contracting with organic and certified naturally grown farmers in the greater Hudson Valley to grow even more varieties. Our membership program provides a way for backyard gardeners to make a vital contribution to this effort.
Awesome intern Emily germ testing.
Who are the people behind the Seed Library? The farm and business are run by partners Ken Greene (on right in photo) and Doug Muller (on left). The Seed Library has grown to include friends, neighbors, and seasonally out of work local farmers. This year we hired our first full time employees. Thanks for helping to grow a truly green local business!
Doug and Ken, radish pods and leeks. Photo by Rich Pomerantz
About our Seed Packs
We offer three different types of seed packs.
Our Art Packs are each designed by a different artist. Each pack celebrates the beauty inherent in heirloom gardening. Click here to see all the art packs and to learn more.
Our Library Packs contain seed that was grown on our farm in Accord, NY and by responsible member farmers and gardeners. We are helped by about fifteen farms that are part of our seed-growing network in the Hudson Valley.
Our Garden Packs contain seed that was obtained from responsible wholesale seed suppliers. We do not source seeds from companies owned or operated by corporate biotech interests.
Over the next several years we hope to dramatically decrease our reliance on outside suppliers in favor of seed produced on our own farm and by local growers. Read more about our seed philosophy.
Seed Scene
Every year we do more events, art shows, workshops, talks, seed swaps, farmers markets, and garden shows. We want everyone to have the opportunity to learn about seed saving, our artists, and the Seed Library. Our events page shows where we’ll be each month.
We’ve also made an effort to get seed consciousness into the homes of gardeners and non-gardeners alike. We are grateful to all of the blogs, magazines, and newspapers who have helped by writing about the Seed Library. Here are a few publications we’ve been in.
New York Times
Huffington Post
Civil Eats
A Way to Garden
This post was posted in Food and Seed Politics, On the Farm, Seed Saving, Seed Scene and was tagged with about us
16 thoughts on “About Us”
16 Item(s)
Which part of NY upstate are you located? Thanks, ms
[...] So there are a lot of people growing food to feed the hungry. And there are a lot of organic gardeners like me who take the program just one step further. We don’t buy just any vegetable seed; we buy seed that is locally grown, not genetically modified, and helps support other charitable programs. I buy from a small but growing farm network — Hudson Valley Seed Library. [...]
[...] in Tri-state Posted on January 12, 2012 by Dan SharePark + Vine is the first store to carry Hudson Valley Seed Library seeds in the Tri-state. The Art Packs unfold into a flower shape, and are printed on recycled paper [...]
Hi! I had the pleasure of working with Michael and Emily at the Schiff Nature Preserve on Jan. 8th The exhibition opening was a great success and the show continues to marvel our guests! I look forward to a trip north to see the farm. You guys are doing a wonderful, creative, and innovative job.
I have a guest that would be interested in purchasing one of the prints and am wondering if that is possible and how to go about it.
Thanks again for all the great work on the 8th,
Laurie Beck
Schiff Nature Preserve Trustee
Hi, I am an Orange County CCE Master Gardener. We were wondering if there is the possibility of visiting your farm for more information about your program. A few of us are really into growing from seed, heirloom vegetables, and community service gardens.
To Ken- It was a pleasure meeting and talking to you at NOFA recently, I would very much like to discuss you having a presence at some of our spring farmers markets. Please send me an email and we can launch the conversation.
Thank you, Frankie
I found you through Zone 4 Magazine and have a couple of questions. I live at 8000 ft in the Colorado Rockies. We are challenged with harsh conditions but never give up looking for seed varieties that work in colder climates. I am the president of our local garden club and also a Colorado Master Gardener Volunteer. I am a teaching gardener who always likes to share and would love suggestions on your best seed varieties that might do well in CO. We are Zone 3-6 for many perennials but would appreciate a little guidance before trying some of your seeds. We have cool nights so lettuce does well here but the day time heat can make it bolt faster. Even in a lower oxygen environment Arugula germinates in 3 days but it bolts fast. what seeds would you try from your catalog for basic crops including tomatoes which are a big challenge here without a greenhouse. Thanks Cheryl
Sending some love your way! I worked on a horse farm in Hudson Valley for a few summers and have fond memories of that area. I've since relocated to Florida which seems a world away geographically but a universe away growing wise. I'll be spreading the word about your site!
Hi. I write for a 20 page newsletter called 10964 that is distributed to everyone in Palisades NY for free four times a year. I am also editor for the March issues. I would be interested in learning more about your organization and how people go about getting seeds.
Kathy Sykes
We are a non profit educational theraputic training farm established to produce a unique crop - we are growing Native American men who need a second chance. We are purchasing property in Talihena, OK (SE OK). We will be working with our trainees to become productive, sustainable, self reliant citizens who can go forward to support themselves, their families and the community. We have a garden 100x75 ft which will be ready to plant a fall harvest crop. We will grow and expand to growing in high tunnels in the future. We need help gathering heirloom seeds, fruit trees and money to buy equipment. All donations are 100% tax deductable. We have 160 acres on are farm. We need the help from people like you who know the benefits of working with your hands in the dirt. All donations will be greatly appreciated. Yakoke and blessings from the trainees of IN A GOOD WAY.
Thank you for the generous donation of your beautiful seed packets to our City Harvest Program. The seed and resulting transplants will be distributed to community gardens and urban farming projects throughout the area. We hope to see you again next year the the Philadelphia International Flower Show!
What assurance do we have that your seeds are not genetically modified?
Please advise
Heard you speak at Seed Savers. Very inspiring. I am trying to start an heirloom gardening community here in Southeast Michigan. Thank you for the spark!
[...] are three places I buy seed: Hudson Valley Seed Library - the variety they offer is impressive. Their seed is locally grown in a climate and soil [...]
Hi! I purchased several of your art packets at the Philadelphia Flower Show 2 years ago. I grew several of the seeds in containers on my porch and received mnay compliments. I would like to purchase more to include in my Christmas cards. Any ideas on how to purchase these packets in bulk at a reasonable price?
Thanks for the great work that you are doing to promote natural seeds.
Green blessings on you (as Susun Weed says) --
Great to hear about the seed library movement, about the art packs (like the beautiful art posters created during the Depression through WPA).
Here's a new book that is an essential component to a Seed Library:
The Unlikely Peace at Cuchumaquic: The Parallel Lives of People as Plants: Keeping the Seeds Alive
by Martin Prechtel
http://www.floweringmountain.com/
It is a magical, practical book.
Prechtel not only describes Farmers as Priests, but, reflecting his 25 years in a Guatemalan Mayan village, he subscribes to the Mayan view of farming:
"By definition, farming was neither a choice nor a career; but was what it mean to be human."
"....every single adult .... man and woman considered themselves to be Farmers."
"It was they who taught me that all farmers had to be priests in charge of feeding the vitality of the Holy Wild in the seed and Holy Decomposition....."
I can't even begin to find the right quote about SEEDS -- the whole book is a quote about Seeds. A great gift to all of us -- as are you and the entire Seed Library movement.
-- Debbie