Community seed libraries

Hennepin County Library has partnered with local area seed organizations to establish seed libraries at Eden Prairie, Hosmer, Nokomis, and St. Louis Park libraries.

We established the seed libraries to:

  • Build a community of growers and to encourage people to grow their own food.
  • Encourage people to save seeds so that their plants will adapt to the area, becoming disease resistant and having better flavors.
  • Address the issue of food insecurity and food sovereignty.
  • Develop ongoing and sustainable local supplies of seeds that reflect the diversity and culturally significant foods of our neighborhoods.

We rely on donations from partner organizations as well as harvested seeds in the fall from local growers to keep the seed library plentiful.

Using the seed libraries

Patrons are welcome to browse the seed libraries, which are located in special seed catalogs at Eden Prairie, Hosmer, Nokomis, and St. Louis Park libraries. Take only what you need, and at the end of the season, please consider saving your seeds to donate back to the seed library for someone else to enjoy.

Donating seeds

We accept all kinds of seed donations of both commercially packaged and saved seed.

To protect beneficial insects in our community, we ask that donated seeds be free of chemical pesticides. If the donation is saved seed, we ask donors to fill out a form, providing information such as variety, harvest year and location, and growing notes. Bring your clean and dried seeds to one of the seed libraries, attach a donation form, and drop in the designated donation box.

Community partners

University of Minnesota Extension - Hennepin County Master Gardeners

Eden Prairie Library’s local partner, Hennepin County Master Gardeners, have been serving the county since 1977. They bring research-based horticultural information to the community through adult and youth educational activities.

Plant-Grow-Share

Hosmer Library’s partner, a grassroots food sovereignty program of the Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization (CANDO) in South Minneapolis.

Seed Feeds

St. Louis Park Library’s partner - offers education, engagement, and food growing services and programs from soil to table and back again, including seed saving.

Seed Sages

Nokomis Library’s partner, an educational endeavor that offers seed services in the Midwest and beyond.

Contact us

Email us for more information at SeedLibraries@hclib.org.