Definitions and Terms | Bloom Seed Library

The History of the Bloom Seed Library

The seed library was founded in 2018 by Dave Maxwell. He had purchased a house and started to see how quickly the cost added up for purchasing plants and seeds to start food and flower gardens. This lead him to research more affordable ways to obtain seeds. In his research, he found out about seed libraries. Finding that the local community did not have a seed library, he used his project management skills to create one on his own. He worked with the PA Department of Agriculture to ensure that any and all rules, procedures, and best practices would be followed, then self-funded the materials to get started. After reaching to seed companies, he was able to obtain donations to get the library started.
The seed library officially went live for public use on May 3rd, 2019 at the Greenwood Farm Market in Bloomsburg PA thanks to the kind folks at Greenwood Farm in Millville PA. The library was functional at the Farm Market until the Farm market took a hiatus.

Once covid-19 caused changes to the way we lived, the President and Vice President decided to reorganize the seed library for local patrons to be able to request seeds via email or online, which were then mailed or hand delivered by the President and Vice President. The library grew significantly during this period as more and more people were starting gardens to offset food costs. Once some covid restrictions lifted, Dave was able to partner with the Bloomsburg Public Library to have the seed library moved into their facilities. This would allow seeds to be accessible in a central area of the community as well as for longer hours. The seed library opened in the Bloomsburg Public Library on May 8th, 2021 (image to the right) and has been located there ever since! The Bloomsburg Public Library has been an amazing and supportive partner, not only housing and promoting the seed library, but allowing us to hold in person educational events through the years. They continue to help us move forward and we are honored to be housed in such a community driven compassionate organization.

On April 21st, 2022, The Bloom Seed Library partnered with The Farm at Catawissa Creek, in Catawissa PA. David and Anne Darling, the owners of The Farm at Catawissa Creek offered to provide farmland to the Bloom Seed Library to sow seeds that are usually low in stock for the purpose of harvesting seeds to fill the library. Their partnership was important as one of the goals of the seed library through seed stewardship was to supply the library with seeds from companies, farms, and gardeners solely from within PA. This and the seed steward program will set us on a healthy path to make this happen. They continue to offer their passion, expertise, and assistance to the seed library and have been partners with us to help move the seed library to a non-profit status.

On April 10th, 2023, the seed library began providing a small version of the seed library for each of 5 senior centers in the area thanks to a partnership with Columbia Montour Aging Office, Inc., fulfilling a long time goal of the seed library President.

On March 12th, 2024, the President of the seed library, Dave Maxwell released the first episode of The Bloom Seed Library Podcast. The podcast was created to provide education and and information to the patrons of the seed library and those that love gardening around the world.

In April of 2024, the Greenwood Friends School in Millville PA, donated a card catalogue to the Bloomsburg Public Library for the seed library to use. This has allowed us to operate better visually as well as organizationally. The Bloomsburg Public Library, under the new director Ammon Francis Young, has invested even more time and energy in to helping the seed library service the community and we are so grateful for them! On May 11th, 2024, the updated seed library was launched with the new card catalogue, better donation and form boxes, as well as a better user experience.

First instance of the seed library, May 3rd, 2019 at the Greenwood Farm Market

New location at the Bloomsburg Public Library, on May 8th, 2021

The Seeds for Seniors program begins providing small seed libraries to 5 senior centers locally, April 10th, 2023.

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Contact and Location

Info@BloomSeedLibrary.org

Inside the Bloomsburg Public Library:

225 Market St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815