The Orcas Island Seed Library seeks to empower Orcas Island to be a resilient seed stewardship community.

We aim to make a diverse variety of open source seed available to the public, and promote knowledge of seed saving practice and importance through outreach and education.

Borrowing and Returning Seeds

You can come to the library to "borrow" seeds any time the public library is open. You can "borrow" seeds from any drawer, but when you first get started, only save seeds from the "super easy" drawers.

Please don't save seeds from the "Easy" or "Advanced" drawers for the library until you have learned more about seed saving or already have that knowledge. You can read our seed saving info in the binder so you can return seeds at the end of the season for others to borrow.

Full details on borrowing and returning seeds from the Seed Library can be found in the library lobby, the home of the Orcas Island Seed Library.

  • How the Seed Library Works

    This library contains seed for our community to share and grow. The idea is that people learn to save seeds and return some for others to use. Like a regular library, the seeds you borrowed must be returned again. How? By growing them, seeing the plants through their life cycle, and choosing to save some of the seeds to return to the library for others to grow. In this way we can develop a free and reliable local seed source.

    Check out the current seed library inventory here. Updated monthly.

  • Why Save Seed Locally?

    Humans have been saving seed for over 12,000 years. In our culture, however, much of that knowledge has been lost over the past 100 years. Agricultural diversity and heritage is being lost with the consolidation of the seed industry. When we grow and save our own seeds organically and locally we:

    Participate in a fun and rewarding tradition; develop seed stock suited to our microclimate; save money; mitigate our dependence on agro-business; and increase our self-reliance on local food sources.

    Orcas Island Seed Library shares only non-genetically engineered, non-utility patented, open-source seeds. Open source seeds are seeds that can be freely shared without violating patent law.

  • About These Seeds

    All the seeds in the seed library have been generously donated by local seed stewards. The continued success of the library depends on the participation and support of seed savers (like you!). If you have seeds you would like to contribute, please contact Marisa Hendron, the seed librarian, by stopping by the front desk, calling the library at 360-376-4985, or via email at library@oiseeds.org.

    Be aware some seeds or the plants they produce may be toxic to consume or touch. Use caution when checking out these seeds.

  • Research Resources

    Here are some frequently asked questions about the seed library. If you still have questions, please contact Marisa Hendron, the seed librarian. She will talk seeds with you all day long if you want to.

    Organic Seed Alliance

    Seed Savers Exchange

    Adaptive Seeds

    Salt Spring Seeds

    Seed Saving Chart

Thanks & Support

for the Seed Library

The most important way you can help keep the seed library going is by using it, and we thank you for doing so! We invite contributions to help fund the cost of materials related to the upkeep of the library and educational programming. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please talk to a staff member at the Orcas Island Library service desk.

We would like to thank all of the local seed stewards on Orcas and Lopez for sharing seeds; to Emmett Adam for building the wonderful seed cabinet; to the Orcas Island Public Library for graciously hosting us; to the Orcas Island Garden Club for awarding us a generous grant; to the Lopez Island Seed Library for advice and resource materials; to Sarah Ross and George Orser for donating books; and to YOU for helping save seeds!