RABUN COUNTY SEED BANK UPDATE - November 2024
Hello all,
This is an update on the Rabun County Seed Library. Some of you may not be familiar with the Library….it is located in the Rabun County Library in Clayton. Many thanks to all of you who have been working with the Seed Library to date, and to Cara-Lee Langston for her vision in getting this program started and continuing assistance with programs and promotions.
The Seed Library collects and provides (free) seed to gardeners…who are encouraged to save seed from their own gardens and donate some back to the Library. Seeds are also donated by Reeves Hardware, The Old School Garden in Clayton, and other sources. We have periodic educational events related to seed saving and propagation. More on all this below!
Seed sorting and packing/donations
Big thanks to our intrepid seed sorting group, who met 11/15 at the Rabun Ext. Office to get started on 2025 seed prep! Lynn McShane, Cissy Belson, Laura West and Maggie Waggoner (special thanks to Lynn for the baked goodies)
We have packed a good start for stocking the Library – 2023 and 2024 seed including: beets, peas (sugar snaps, purple hull, zipper), beans (blue lake, rattlesnake, October), okra, corn, squash (yellow straight, yellow crookneck, zucchini, butternut), corn, onion, and UGA pollinator mix flowers. We have LOADS of all of the above on hand.
We are seeking: tomatoes, lettuce, spinach, herbs (Cilantro, Basil, Thyme, and any others) and flowers. Please let us know if you can donate any of these.
All donations welcome, but above are the things we most need. Only 2023 or 2024 seed please.
We will have another ‘sorting/packing party’ the week of Jan 6th. Watch for separate invitation. Typically we will work from 10-1 in the Rabun Extension Office. Any time you can spend is welcome. On the job training provided 😊.
Next steps
John – we need more envelopes and labels please! Ms. Sandra has details of a couple of changes to the labels.
Lynn M - stock the Library with the seed we recently packed.
Lynn M has sent a separate schedule for seed library check-ups. Thanks to all who assist with this – Robin G, Sarah T, Sandy S, Cyndi B and Lynn. We’d welcome others if you are interested.
Maggie – document/maintain inventory
Proposed events for the Seed Library/Rabun County Library for 2025.
All events held in the Rabun County Library and are free to the public. Many thanks to the Library for their continued support.
We will keep you updated as we confirm March and Sept dates/speakers. You will see invitations closer to the dates, and pre-registration will be required.
March 7, 2 pm – Seed Starting – t0 be confirmed - speaker and exact date tbd
John is checking with a couple of possible speakers (suggestions welcome!)Maggie will confirm with Library when we have a speaker/date
April 18, 2-3 pm – Native Garden Design – Lindsay Mann/Stellar Roots Herb Farm
Confirmed and on library calendarCara-Lee has promo material from Lindsay for a flyer to be produced closer to the event
September 15, 2-3 pm – Native Seed Propagation - Carrie Radcliffe Brode – to be confirmed
In process Cara-Lee confirming with Carrie; Maggie confirming with Library