Española Healing Foods Seed Library
A seed library is a free community space where people can come to receive and share seeds — and grow health and wellbeing together. The Española Healing Foods Seed Library honors local seeds and farming traditions!
The Seed Library is housed in the Española Public Library (313 N Paseo De Oñate) and opened in March 2020. The Library is a project of the Española Public Library, the City of Española, Tewa Women United’s Española Healing Foods Oasis, and Seed Library Youth Leaders.
SEED BLESSING & ANCESTRAL AGREEMENT
These seeds are shared freely in the hope that through this exchange, we will support health for our communities, continue cultural traditions and farming lifeways, and help protect Earth’s incredible diversity of seeds.
In receiving these seeds, I commit to honoring Indigenous Nations, Pueblo communities, and other land-based Peoples who have protected and passed on these seeds, and their stories, for countless generations.
I commit to acting with care, respect and reverence as a guardian of these seed teachers – and promise that I will never sell, commodify, or exploit them in any way, as seeds are a gift from Earth that give life.
I commit to planting, tending and harvesting these seeds in the best way that I can, and to returning seeds back to the library in the future when I am able.
I recognize that in choosing to care for these seeds, I take on a responsibility to use my voice to speak for the health of seeds, waters, and land – and to protect against any attempts to steal, degrade, commodify, or harm this precious heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHY ARE THERE SEEDS IN THE PUBLIC LIBRARY? –
Libraries are open to the public, which means that everyone of all ages and all backgrounds can come to the library for stories, knowledge and resources. This makes them a perfect place to share seeds. There are more than 600 other seed libraries in the U.S. – and hundreds more around the world!
WHERE DO THE SEEDS IN THE LIBRARY COME FROM? –
A few different places! Many seeds are local heirlooms and Indigenous seeds, donated by farmers from the greater Española Valley, and around New Mexico. Many other seeds were grown and collected in the Española Healing Foods Oasis garden, right next door to the library! Other seeds were donated by local organizations, greenhouses and nurseries; and seed grants from several heirloom seed companies.
We do not accept or share any seeds that are chemically treated, patented, or genetically modified.
We hope to encourage many people in the community to learn to have seeds, and return some back to the library to keep it re-stocked.
DO PEOPLE HAVE TO PAY FOR OR RETURN SEEDS? –
Seeds are free, but we are asking people to sign out which seeds they take, and to only take what they need. We recommend 10 packets per person.
DO YOU NEED VOLUNTEERS? –
Yes, we will need volunteers to help pack and re-stock the library every few months. Email us at espanolaseedlibrary@gmail.com. We also need lots of volunteer seed care-givers who pledge to grow some extra seed to return to the library.
WHO CAN I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION? –
Send an email to espanolaseedlibrary@gmail.com – or call 505-747-3259 (Tewa Women United office)