Public library seedbank encourages urban farming

Richmond, California – The seeds are rented at no cost, but you do have to fill out the correct forms and attend a small workshop

By Eric Thomas
ABC East Bay News
Aug 16, 2010

Excerpt:

RICHMOND, CA (KGO) — Urban farming is not a new concept. But, finding the time, the seed and the gardening knowledge has been hard — until now. In the city of Richmond, people can get everything they need to start their own gardens, with a little help from the local library.

“If left to my own devices, I could spend all day out here, but it’s not required,” said backyard gardener Kelli Barram.

Barram grows more than a hundred species of plants in her Richmond back yard — from the beautiful to the edible. Until about four months ago, getting seed was an inconvenient process of shopping at local nurseries, begging friends or leafing through catalogues. But, now getting access to new plants is as close as a trip to the Richmond library.

“I think it takes and connects a lot of dots for me — it’s creating community. People are coming together and we’re sharing our resources and sharing out skills,” said seedbank founder Rebecca Newburn.

The seedbank at the Richmond library is the brainchild of school teacher Rebecca Newburn. But, it’s just one component in a national movement to get urban neighbors to begin growing more of their own food — especially in areas with lots of fast food restaurants like Richmond.

See the complete article here.