Seed exchange provides access to regional plants

One seed at a time, an area project is raising awareness about locally grown foods. The Seed Exchange of Central Georgia provides a platform for people to share open-pollinated and heirloom seeds as well as knowledge and resources.

People can donate and pick up seeds at the information booths at the Warner Robins International City Farmers Market from 1-6 p.m. Thursday and the Perry Farmers Market from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, said Jodi Daley, co-founder of nonprofit Land to Hand and manager of those two farmers markets. Both markets and the seed exchange are operated by Land to Hand.

“(Seed exchanges) were a tradition a long time ago in communities,” said Walt Shubert, a Land to Hand volunteer who helped Daley start the Seed Exchange of Central Georgia three years ago. “Individuals would grow from seed, and they would get a plant that they liked and share those seeds with their neighbors.”

However, the distribution of seeds was mechanized and commercialized after World War II, which meant fewer varieties available to the public as the years passed, he said. By collecting open-pollinated and heirloom seeds, a seed exchange can pass on plants that are true to their origins rather than hybrids or genetically modified organisms. It’s a way to find and spread seeds for the foods that our region grows best, Daley said.

When people grow their own produce or buy it at the farmers market, they know where it’s coming from and what’s in it. They can also rest assured that the foods will be fresh-picked, ripe and tasty, she said.

The seed exchange got started with a batch of seeds donated by Iowa company Seed Savers Exchange. The supplies were set up at the Nola Brantley Library in Warner Robins for a while before moving over to the farmers markets.

“It’s kind of an honor system. We ask them to take what they want, and then save seeds after the harvest and return them,” Daley said. “Even if they have not been completely successful in saving or growing the seeds, at least they now have an understanding of where seeds come from and can appreciate their life cycle.”

Beans, squash, gourds, tomatoes, peppers, artichokes, okra, zucchini, marigolds and zinnias are just a few of the plants that have been swapped through the project. The Seed Exchange of Central Georgia Facebook group now has about 130 members, who post seed requests and surpluses, questions, relevant articles and success stories.

“There is a lot of general garden information posted to the group,” said Beth Collins, of Warner Robins. “I am always eager to learn better ways of doing things, especially if it is more in harmony with nature.”

Collins said she joined the group to have access to the heirloom and open-pollinated seeds. She acquired a pack of dill through the group, and hopes to return some of the seeds if it grows well. She also wants to plant some unique eggplants and peppers.

“As someone who has always grown exclusively vegetables, the Seed Exchange gave me a chance to experiment with some flowers and unusual heirlooms outside of my comfort zone,” said member Katie Thornton, of Warner Robins. “As those plants produce more and more seeds, it’s given me a way to give back to the exchange. They produce far more seeds than I could use alone.”

Daley said she is researching ways to improve and expand the project, and she wants to host regular workshops on seed saving in the future. She hopes the work by Land to Hand, the Warner Robins and Perry farmers markets, and the seed exchange will bring people together and help educate them on the importance of local foods and eating better.

Visit landtohand.org or find “Land to Hand” or “Seed Exchange of Central Georgia” on Facebook for more information on these initiatives.

This story was originally published June 4, 2016 at 9:00 PM with the headline "Seed exchange provides access to regional plants."