Cesar Chavez Seed Library

1. Cesar Chavez Seed Library

2. *thank you for being a wonderful home for the very first seed library in Oakland!*

3. Intention of the Seed Library • To create an interchange where people can not only access free seeds, but where they also return homegrown, bioregionally-adapted seeds. The greater the activity in this interchange, the greater independence we as a community will have from giant seed companies and the greater our food sovereignty will be.

4. Bay Area Seed Libraries Oakland – Cesar Chavez Library Berkeley - Ecology Center Richmond – Richmond Public Library San Francisco – Portero Hill Library San Francisco – Hayes Valley Farm Bolinas – S.P.R.OUT Seed Library East Palo Alto – EPA Public Library Santa Cruz – Live Oak Public Library Sonoma – St. Stephen’s Church Alameda – Alameda Free Library

5. Seeds are organized by family; each family has a different colored drawer label. Within each family, different species (varieties?) of seeds are grouped together. The acorns designate seed saving difficulty level: white acorns: super easy tan acorns: easy brown acorns: advanced We also have some collective drawers with herbs, California natives, ornamentals, etc. Library Organization

6. Seed Families Apiaceae (parsley) Cucurbitaceae (gourd) Chenopodaceae (goosefoot) Brassicaceae (mustard) Solanacea (nightshade) Leguminosae (bean and pea) Asteraceae (sunflower)

7. Seed Varieties Chenopodaceae ** Goosefoot Family** beet, chard, quinoa, spinach Chenopodaceae **Familia de pie de ganso** remolacha o betabel, quinoa, acelgas espinacas • Apiaceae (parsley): parsley, dill • Cucurbitaceae (gourd): cucumber, melons, pumpkins • Chenopodaceae (goosefoot): beet, chard, quinoa, spinach • Brassicaceae (mustard): broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower • Solanacea (nightshade): eggplant, tomato, potato, peppers • Leguminosae (bean and pea): beans, lentils, peas • Asteraceae (sunflower): artichoke, lettuce, sunflower

8. Acorns: Seed Saving Level • White: seeds are super easy to save • Plant seeds in your garden, let plants grow, save their seeds. Done and done. • Tan: seeds are easy to save • Some plants are biennials, which means they produce seeds only in the second growing season; seed saving these takes a little know-how. • Brown: seed saving is advanced • Some plants cross-pollinate (if there is another variety around they can pollinate each other and the seeds you save will not be what you originally planted unless you know how to properly save them).

9. Acorns: Seed Saving Level • White: super easy • Peas, Beans, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Grains • Tan: easy • Beets and chard, parsley, parsnips, carrots, peppers (they cross!) • Brown: advanced • Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, corn, pumpkins, squash, melons

10. ‘Checking Out’ Seeds • Look through seed packets to find out which seeds you’d like • For each variety of seed you’d like to take, obtain one ‘Seed Library Envelope’ and using information on the seed packet, fill out envelope as extensively as you can • PLEASE ONLY TAKE A FEW SEEDS from each packet and put them into your envelopes • Return envelopes to proper location • Fill out ‘Checkout Form’ with your name and each of the seed varieties that you took

11. Returning Seeds • Bring your saved seeds to the library and fill out a ‘Seed Library Envelope’ with as much information as you can regarding the seeds you’re bringing in. • Fill that envelope with your saved seeds and file in the appropriate location.

12. Education • Seedfolks will offer classes on topics such as: • ‘Super Easy Seed Saving’ • ‘Advanced Seed Saving’ • ‘Planning your Seed Saving Garden’ • ‘Community Networking to Save Seed’

13. Lessons from Seed Library History • We will NEED dedicated and accountable seed savers • A strong educational component is essential • We need efficient communication mechanisms • We need to stress that this is an interchange and not just a resource for free seeds; educate on how many seeds to take • The seed library and its associated displays need to be dynamic (changed seasonally).