Alishia Alther, technical services specialist at MCLA’ s Freel Library, started The MCLA Seed Library in 2019. In the beginning, the library bought the initial seeds. Now, it is supplied almost entirely by donations of commercial seeds and saved seeds from community members. During Covid, they mailed seeds to students. Last year, they used some of the college’ s Wellness Center grant to buy herbal and native seeds.
The seed library is free and open yearround to students, faculty, staff and the broader community.( Please take no more than 10 packets.) Like Sawyer Library, it
is fully restocked in March. The MCLA Seed Library has supported several initiatives in the past, including a seed packet decorating event, a seed saving event, and a logo contest amongst MCLA students where the design by Delano Mills was selected. New for 2025 are native offerings that include echinacea( purple coneflower), milkweed, and New Jersey tea; and herbal offerings that include chamomile and St. John ' s Wort. There are description cards for each type of seed available, and patrons are encouraged to take a picture of the card for growing instructions, or write useful information in the notes section of the seed packets that are taken.
This year, The MCLA Seed Library is a part of the Common Seed Project, initiated by seed libraries in and around the Massachusetts Pioneer Valley. Inspired by " common read " programs that bring people together through shared reading experiences, Common Seed builds community through gardening and seed saving. Each year, they select a“ common seed,” and participants across Western Massachusetts receive free seeds from participating libraries, along with access to local events, workshops, and resources. This year’ s seed is the Provider bean— perfect for gardeners of all levels.
Jessie Gamm is the full-time aid cataloguer at Adams Free Library. Her duties also include overseeing the seed library since its inception last year. No library card is needed, and seeds are available to everyone. They welcome donations of unopened seed packets bought at reputable garden stores. This year, when the seed library reopened on March 21, they had even more seeds, thanks to donations from distributors like American Meadows, Eden Brothers, Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co., Bentley Seed Co., and Toadshade Wildflower Farm. Seeds included fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, as well as many mixed wildflower packets.
The seed library is open as long as supplies last— when they’ re all gone, Gamm will put a sign up that the seed library is“ in hibernation” until next year. A few weeks into the new seed library cycle, Jen
OUR LOCAL BEVERAGES ARE soda-lightful!
www. berkshire. coop( 413) 528-9697 34 Bridge Street, Great Barrington, MA
Native Habitat Restoration
Returning Balance to Nature
Wetlands Woodlands Meadows
Fields
Invasive Plant Control Pollinator Habitats
Field Clearing Forestry Mowing
Wetland Restoration
( 413) 358-7400
Licensed in MA • CT • NY • VT
NativeHabitatRestoration. weebly. com
110 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Holiday May / June 2023 2025