Cultivating Community: How the Chatfield Public Library is Sowing Seeds

CHATFIELD – Beyond books, Minnesota’s public libraries have long been learning centers with many offerings and resources, and increasingly that includes seed libraries.

The Chatfield Public Library is among those in southeast Minnesota that have expanded services to include a free seed library and educational classes on seed saving. This new initiative reflects a growing movement toward sustainable living and community engagement.

Educational opportunities and classes for all skill levels

Leading up to Chatfield’s Seed Library kick-off event, the library hosted two educational workshops on seed saving and seed starting.

In January, Heidi Kern, a self-taught gardener who teaches gardening classes at Rochester Community Education and helped start the Seed Library at the Rochester Public Library, taught “Plan a Garden for Seed Saving.” In February, Fillmore Master Gardener, Rae Rowell, taught the class, “Grow Your Own Transplants: Indoor Seed Germination.” These classes help attendees succeed in their gardening efforts while learning valuable skills. Topics included:

Seed Starting Basics: Attendees learned how to select the proper containers, soil and seeds for their garden and how to use adequate watering and lighting techniques.

Heidi Kern teaches on seed collecting. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)

Seed saving techniques: This class covered how to harvest, dry properly and store seeds to maintain their viability for future planting.

Pollination and plant health: Understanding how plants reproduce can improve gardeners’ success rates. This session covered pollination methods, crossbreeding risks and how to prevent common plant diseases.

Being creative and frugal: Rowell stated, “We (master gardeners) like to learn things and pass them on to other people.” She uses common and often recycled containers as seed starting pots to save money and support seed growth. She emphasized the importance of heat, water and seed preparation in achieving successful germination.

Seed saving for integrity: Kern taught about effective ways to save seeds to maintain their integrity. She discussed the differences between hybrid and heirloom seeds and open-pollinated and cross-pollinated seeds.

Kern highlighted reasons to collect seeds, including convenience, developing locally adapted seeds, reducing carbon footprints, and even using seeds as currency for trade. “By growing and saving seed from the healthiest and strongest plants each year, you are developing a strain adapted to local conditions,” Kern said.

Rae Rowell teaches about seed starting and seed growth into viable plants. (photo by Monica Erickson)

Seed library kick off

On March 8, 2025, the library hosted a kick-off event for the seed library.

Raechel Murphy created a game that participants could try, matching seeds with the plant names such as gourd, hollyhock, bean and more.

For the kickoff, Sandy Sullivan showed how to make seed-starting pods from recycled newspaper. These containers work well as they can be sowed directly into the ground with the seedling.

Among the many resources, Master Gardener Judy Lacey recommends the book “Minnesota Gardener’s Guide” during the Seed Library Kick Off. (Photo Laurie Byrne)

Master Gardener Judy Lacey was available for questions and provided handouts for many seeds offered in the seed library.

The Seed Library exists due to many volunteer hours. 

Seeds have been donated by Prairie Moon Nursery, Seed Savers Exchange, Territorial Seeds, and community members.Volunteers divided seed packets into more manageable quantities (anyone else have a shoebox in their garage with all the extra seeds purchased over the years?).

The library hosted several seed-packing sessions in the months leading up to the kickoff. While volunteers circled the table to get to work, community was built during conversations ranging from books to gardening experiences and aspirations of gardens to come. 

Visitors to the library can “check out” seeds for their home gardens. Participants are encouraged to grow the plants, harvest seeds and return some seeds to the library for others to use in the next season.

This sustainable model promotes gardening and helps preserve plant diversity and heirloom varieties.

Local gardeners Raechel Murphy and Sandy Sullivan joined the Chatfield Public Library to begin the Seed Library in 2024. Their combined expertise and passion for sustainable gardening have played a key role in shaping this new resource.

Seed library checkout station at the Chatfield Public Library. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)

The library’s seed collection includes a variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers. Each packet comes with planting instructions, making it accessible to novice and experienced gardeners. By sharing seeds and growing knowledge, the library aims to empower residents to cultivate their food and contribute to local food security.

Sandy Sullivan uses recycled containers and newspaper to make a seed-starting pot. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)

Local connection to a national gardening trend

The library’s seed program aligns with broader environmental and economic trends. As more people turn to home gardening to reduce grocery costs and ensure food security, access to free seeds and practical knowledge can make a significant difference. Additionally, saving seeds contributes to preserving biodiversity, especially with heirloom and regionally adapted plant varieties which are often better suited to local growing conditions.

Moreover, the classes and events create a space for community interaction. Neighbors connect over shared gardening tips, and participants often exchange stories about their experiences growing certain plants. This strengthens community ties and encourages a sense of collective responsibility for local food systems.

In 2024, about 900 seed packets were available, and at least 100 individuals accessed the seed library. More seeds were packed this year, with over 1,700 seed packets available. Each patron is allowed to take 15 packets of seeds from the library. Next to the seeds is a notebook for tracking how many seeds go out. 

Collection of seeds sorted into new packets for distribution to patrons of the seed library. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)

How to join in and Start your own garden

Sandy and Raechel, seasoned gardeners, suggested their picks for best seeds for a beginning gardener would be beans, lettuce, tomatoes, peas and zucchini. They also encouraged starting small to prevent becoming overwhelmed.

Murphy added, “Don’t be discouraged by failure; we are always learning,” to which Sullivan said, “I try something new every year! Sometimes it’s a flop, and sometimes it works.”

Joining the seed library is simple. Patrons can come to the library, browse the available seed varieties, and take home what they need. There are no fees, though participants are encouraged to return seeds from successful harvests to help maintain the collection.

Illustration shared during class of how a seed grows into a plant. (Photo by Laurie Byrne)

By launching a seed library and hosting educational classes, the Chatfield Public Library has expanded its role as a learning and community growth hub. This initiative equips residents with practical skills, promotes sustainability and fosters stronger community connections.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, the library’s resources can help you cultivate success – one seed at a time.