YOUTH SEED STEWARDSHIP
The Youth Seed Stewards (YSS) are the co-creators and carers of the Inter-School Seed Library (more on that below!) that allows schools and youth/community groups across Waterloo Region to access free seeds and support. Seed Stewards connect with each other and adult allies around seeds and local food. They are leaders in school-based food production efforts in the Region by enabling these very important inputs – seeds! – to be collected, nurtured, and distributed each year.
The next cohort of the project is well underway! Here’s a snapshot of fall 2025, and what’s happening right now!
SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER 2025:
Seedy Workshops
On September 18th and October 9th, Seed Stewards gathered for workshops that enabled them to first explore the science behind seeds, followed by a session of hands-on seed harvesting at a partner school site. These two get togethers were the perfect opportunity to lay the foundation of knowledge & teamwork for the project ahead. Big thanks to Bob Wildfong and Nancy Hainsworth for the expertise and fun!
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2025:
Steward Gatherings
The team of Seed Stewards gathered every two weeks to co-lead the preparation Seed Library for the upcoming year. From seed cleaning and sorting, to germination testing and inventory database development, to research and selection of new varieties to add to the Library. Plus, they had a chance to embark on a field trip to Galt C.I. to see seeds in action at a school, inspiring ideas of what’s to come.
DECEMBER 2025:
Seed Packing Gatherings
Over the course of two evenings, several Seed Stewards and dozens of community members joined us to pack, label, sort, and celebrate the many new seed additions to the Library! In all, more than 4000 seed packets were completed across the two gatherings. And, most importantly, they offered a space for reflecting on and appreciating the fall stewardship season.
JANUARY – MARCH 2026:
More Steward Gatherings (Happening Now!)
Over the course of six gatherings, the team of new and returning Seed Stewards are finalizing the Seed Library inventory, co-designing the request form and promotional materials, performing community outreach, accepting and packing requests as they roll in, and creating mini Seed Libraries to place at key community locations. Plus, this group will also have a chance to take a field trip to explore indoor and outdoor school-based food production.
Want to stay in the loop as the project progresses?
What is the Inter-School Seed Library?
The Inter-School Seed Library is a collection of seeds available to school communities and youth in Waterloo Region. It aims to increase access to open-pollinated, heirloom, and regionally adapted seeds for school-based food production and for youth gardeners – all while engaging young people as leaders and changemakers in our local food systems.
The Library, in operation since February 2025, is currently hosted at the Seeds of Diversity office in Uptown Waterloo, where it sits alongside our main seed collection (the Canadian Seed Library). Many of the seeds will be sent out to our youth garden teams as they care for six school garden spaces in Kitchener and Cambridge during July and August. Some other seeds will be sent to schools as requests continue to trickle in. The rest are being organized and jarred up (they’ll stay viable longer that way), to be kept safe and sound for next year.
Are you part of a school community in Waterloo Region and looking for seeds for food production? The Inter-School Seed Library will re-open in early 2026 for requests!
Looking Back: How did the 2024-2025 pilot project go?
The Youth Seed Stewardship pilot started in October of 2024 with a set of learning workshops designed to provide participants with foundational knowledge in seed stewardship. From these workshops about half a dozen youth joined the project from November through to April, participating in monthly sessions, where they explored such things as:
What seeds should be in the newly created inter-school seed library?
How do we go about establishing a community-focused seed distribution model?
What information should be available to recipients of seeds about each variety?
How can we encourage and motivate schools to share seeds back with the Library?
Numbers are not the only (or most important) results we care about. This project has given the Seed Stewards unique opportunities to: learn more about how local food systems in Waterloo Region work; gain hands-on experience in seed saving and stewardship; have a voice in decision making (this boosts confidence and leadership skills!); and collaborate and socialize with each other and the adult allies invited to join the project. In short: it’s been educational and loads of fun!
OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Our goal is for the Youth Seed Stewardship project to include youth from various cultural & socioeconomic groups in Waterloo Region.
WHY JOIN AS A SEED STEWARD?
There are many reasons to join the YSS project, including but not limited to:
- Build leadership and collaboration skills;
- Meet and work with like-minded peers and adult allies;
- Learn about seed and food security, urban agriculture, and local food systems;
- Work on special projects alongside youth with similar interests;
- Join an organization with 40 years of leadership in seed stewardship;
- Attend fun community-based events and field trips;
- Build your resume and university applications;
- Fulfil your required community service hours;
- Have fun!
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
- Youth between the ages of 14 and 19 at the start of the YSS in October 2025;
- Individuals who are interested in local food & sustainability, and want to learn from some great local folks in the sector;
- Those who are interested in becoming environmental leaders;
- Those who are keen to work within a small organization to develop and improve upon programs, processes, and outcomes;
- Those who can attend seed workshops on October 18th and 25th;
- Those who can commit to regular biweekly meetings on Thursday evenings;
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Ability to commit up to two hours per week to the project;
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A willingness to join and engage using Discord
