2020 Long Island Seed swap
The large Long Island seed swap has been hugely successful and is personally rewarding to those that participate and volunteer. We love having the seed swap and love the community.
Regrettably, there will be no Long Island seed swap this year, first because of conflict with the Organic Seed Alliance conference dates, which we have been involved with and are attending .
The second reason we’re not having the Long Island seed swap is far more difficult to resolve: the swap is not financially sustainable. Until 2018, the event has always been free to the public—or with donations requested at the door. We have been donating A LOT of seeds ever since we started. We receive no grants or outside funding and rely solely on donations.
LIRSC is headed by volunteers but it has been a financial drain for individuals and for the farm, with the cost of putting on the event greatly exceeding any donations. It is deeply unfortunate that something as vital and necessary as seed work is expected to be free and angry emails from a few individuals demanding free events/seeds/classes won't change that. Yes, in an ideal world seed work should be free, but our reality has proved to be quite different.
If you would like to volunteer to bring the 2021 swap to fruition, including fundraising, let us know in the volunteer form.
To that end, we now understand we need to do a lot more education about the true cost of saving seeds, what seed work entails, and what community support looks like. This brings us back to the need and rationale for seed town halls. We need you to host one of these and we are more ready to help you bring them into being. If your organization or venue would like to host one of these, please send us an email.
LONG ISLAND SEED SWAP
Imagine the annual seed swap as an old fashioned Facebook for seeds. Seed swaps serve so many purposes; not only are they fun, they are a way to meet other gardeners, farmers and seed savers, brush up on new techniques, ask questions, and of course GET NEW SEEDS for your collection. Double bonus for breaking up the winter blues that afflict those us who love working with the dirt.
Our annual seed swap has grown more than we could have dreamed in the past FIVE years! We have all the volunteers, sponsors, seedy people and of course public to thank for that. It is very encouraging to witness so many people interested in preserving and sharing seeds.
Join us this year no matter if you are a veteran, beginner or just curious.
Seed Swap Faq
What seeds can I bring?
You can bring vegetable, flower or herb seeds you have saved that have not crossed with other types (if you do - it will be a bummer for everyone), commercial excess seed from last year, tubers, fruit scions, and bulbs. Typically, bring seeds that are open-pollinated or seeds that can be saved as "true-to-type". Do not bring hybrid seeds (usually they say on the packet F1) or seeds that are really old and/or will have poor germination.
All seeds should be clearly labeled with variety, species and year harvested or purchased.
I have a lot of seeds in jars/bags, what should I do?
Bring whatever you may have and we will help you re-package it into smaller packets with labels. Just mention it when you come in.
What type of seeds shouldn't I bring?
Invasives, hybrid F1’s, old seed that won’t germinate, the mean neighbor who no one likes, and pirates.
There are so many seeds! This is awesome! Yes, it's true its awesome and inspiring. However, please only take what you need for the coming year. Any excess you take is removing an opportunity for someone else.
I am new to seed saving and don’t have any seeds to swap. Help! What do I do?
It’s OK, you don’t need to bring seeds, although we strongly encourage it. You can bring leftover seeds you may have from last years garden. If you don’t have any seeds to share, you will still walk away with seeds to start saving. The number you can take will be very limited, however.
Will you have rare cultivars?
Yes, but these may be limited to folks who bring seed depending on the turn out.
What else besides seeds do I bring?
Seeds, a writing instrument like a pen or marker, small envelopes to put the seed in.
I only have a few seeds (or no seeds!) to share.
That's OK. New folks to seed swaps may not have a lot to exchange, but it's a good thing to go and start somewhere.
I have questions, who can ask?
The great thing about the event is there are plenty of volunteers, many of whom are master gardeners, on hand to answer questions.
We need your help!
The LIRSC is looking for seedy volunteers to help plan, organize and run the Annual Seed Swap! Interested in learning more? Please fill out the form below and our team will contact you ASAP. ThankS!