SEED OF THE YEAR

The Seed of the Year program started in 2019 as a collaboration between City Sprouts, The Big Garden, Big Muddy Urban Farm, and Omaha Public Library. The goal of the program is to increase the amount of locally saved seed available in Omaha and to encourage Omaha residents’ ability and confidence around saving seed.

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Each year, a specific type of seed is selected by the community through an online poll. Then seed packets are provided free of charge along with a growing and saving guide at events and partner locations.

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By the end of the season, the seed has been locally grown and saved and is redistributed to community members, stocked at our organizations for future use, and becomes part of the Omaha Public Library Common Soil Seed Library! 

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Annual Seed of the Year Seed Events

 

Seed Share

March 2021 - Time TBD

Neighbors sharing seeds is a time-honored tradition that strengthens local food security. We will have empty seed packets and folks available to assist you. Please make sure to label all seeds that you plan to share. Even if you don’t have seeds to share, you are welcome to attend; we will have plenty of seeds to go around!
 

Seed of the Year Seed Saving Class

May 2021 - Time TBD

Learn how to save seeds through the Seed of the Year program! Come get your free packet of the 2021 Seed of the Year and learn the basics of growing, caring for and saving these seeds!

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Seed School

Fall 2021 - Time TBD

In the fall, we hold a 2-day, intensive course on seed saving, called Seed School, which includes a community seed processing party. At the seed cleaning, folks can bring their Seed of the Year and learn how to process and package them for the following season for sharing with neighbors, stocking the Common Soil Seed Library, and using in your own garden year after year! 

 

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