December 2014: Give the Gift of Seeds!
The holidays are almost upon us! Have you organized all your gifts yet? Or, like some of us in the office, are you still looking for a last-minute, meaningful gift to share with your friends or family? If so, consider giving the gift of seeds this year. We have two ways for you to do this.
One, gift a fellow gardener, seed saver or seed supporter (or some one you think may want to be either of those) a membership to Seeds of Diversity! A one-year membership includes four issues of our member magazine (with its articles, news and interviews for anyone interested in our food system and seed diversity), our annual member seed directory, this monthly e-bulletin, and the chance to be part of a Canada-wide seed savers exchange network. You can print off a card to pop in your recipient's stocking at www.seeds.ca/giftofseeds.
Two, adopt a seed in the Canadian Seed Library in someone else's name. A full adoption of $250 will preserve a seed variety for all time. You can also make a partial adoption of any amount. Donations of $50 or more will be permanently recognized in the Seed Library, and the full amount of every adoption is a tax-receiptable charitable donation.
Don't forget to renew your own membership for 2015 if you haven't done so already! (Check the box on the right to see if your membership is about to expire). Visit www.seeds.ca/member.
Thank you for your support, and happy holidays from all of us here at Seeds of Diversity!
What's in our Canadian Seed Catalogue Index?
Seeds of Diversity's Canadian Seed Catalogue Index is a terrific resource for gardeners, seed savers, and conservationists. It shows the wide range of vegetable and fruit seeds sold in Canada, and the companies that sell them. Sort of like a stack of seed catalogues, but in reverse - you look up the seed variety first, and then you see the companies.
Seed Library Adoptions : gifts that outlive a lifetime
Our Canadian Seed Library is a collection of seeds that backs up the work of our member seed savers and Canadian heritage seed companies. As a not-for-profit project, we store back-up samples of heirloom, locally-adapted, and member-favourite seeds to keep them viable and available for future gardeners and farmers. These are your seeds, your collection, brought to you by the work and donations of hundreds of people.
Seeds in Disguise: A Travelling Exhibit
Want to bring a great seedy exhibit to your community? The Royal Ontario Museum is offering a fantastic travelling exhibit, called Seeds in Disguise: The Biology & Lore of Ornamental Seeds. This exhibit invites you to explore the ordinary, delighting all ages and levels of interest, from the curious child, to the backyard botanist, to the seasoned hiker, and everyone in between.
Are Seed Libraries Legal? (Yes, they are)
Back in August there was a flurry of news that the U.S. government was cracking down on seed savers and shutting down public seed libraries. Everyone seemed to be asking "Could ours be next?"
It started with the Joseph T. Simpson Public Library in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where a small seed library project allowed about 60 gardeners to "borrow" seeds in the spring, grow them at home, and "return" fresh seeds in the fall. That is, until the Department of Agriculture determined that such activity was in violation of the Pennsylvania Seed Act, and in a surreal interview cited "agri-terrorism" as a possible threat from library patrons.
In this issue
What's in our Canadian Seed Catalogue Index?
Seed Library Adoptions : gifts that outlive a lifetime
Seeds in Disguise: A Travelling Exhibit
Are Seed Libraries Legal? (Yes, they are)
Not yet a member?
An annual membership to Seeds of Diversity gives you access to our seed exchange, seed grow-out programs, and our online news.
Have you renewed your membership for 2015?
Check the box on the top of this sidebar to confirm when your membership expires. Renew today to make sure you don't miss the next issue of Seeds of Diversity magazine, or the annual member seed directory. Thank you!
Give the Gift of Seeds!
A membership to Seeds of Diversity makes a perfect holiday gift for gardeners, seed savers and anyone interested in preserving and learning about seed diversity.
Adopt a Seed as a gift!
Adopt a seed in someone else's name this year! A full adoption of $250 will preserve a seed variety for all time. You can also make a partial adoption of any amount.
We depend on donations to do our work.
Thank you for your support!
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