Spotlight on: Santa Maria Public Library Seed Program

A new program in the Santa Maria Public Library system will allow patrons to borrow seeds to plant for growing various vegetables, spices, and flowers.

Community members may come to any of the five libraries (Cuyama, Guadalupe, Los Alamos, Orcutt, and Santa Maria) in the Santa Maria system to collect the seeds.

"Hundreds of public libraries around the country also offer free seeds to library-goers, aiming to expand access to crops and educate the public," Librarian Joanne Britton said in a statement.

click to enlarge Spotlight on: Santa Maria Public Library Seed Program
PHOTOS BY SPENCER COLE
SOWING THE EARTH: The Santa Maria Public Library system recently launched a seed borrowing program that allows patrons to take home seeds to plant vegetables, spices, or flowers.

Proponents of the programs across the country say it gives the public access to crops while serving as both an education tool and as a method to protect agricultural resources.

Santa Maria's program is made possible by a partnership with the library, the Santa Maria Public Library Foundation, and a grant from the Altrusa International Foundation of Santa Maria.

Each location will have a self-service seed station allowing visitors to take up to three packets of seeds to plant. Patrons are encouraged to bring seeds yielded from the plants after they've grown to return to the library to help further the program.

If those who have taken seeds are unable to return new ones to the library, the program will rely on donations of fresh, commercially grown, open-pollinated (as in non-hybrid or GMO) seeds to help keep the shelves stocked.

Library Technician Jose Gaytan told the Sun the program was only in its infancy. "It just started," he said.

Seeds are available at all five library branches: In Cuyama at 4689 Highway 166; in Guadalupe at 4719 W. Main St., suite D; in Los Alamos at 405 Helena St.; in Orcutt at 175 S. Broadway; and at the main library, 421 S. McClelland St., Santa Maria. For more information about each library's hours, go online to cityofsantamaria.org/library.

The main library's hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sunday.

Questions may be directed to the information desk, (805) 925-0994, Ext. 8562.


Highlights:

• More than a dozen Central Coast companies from Santa Barbara to Paso Robles made the online business Inc. magazine's list of 5,000 fastest growing companies in the United States. Ten of the businesses were located in Santa Barbara, while three (software firm Land Gorilla, the telecommunications company Digital West, and Meathead Movers) are located in San Luis Obispo. The remaining two, A.M. Sun Solar, and software company IQMS, are in Paso Robles. The sole Santa Maria company to crack the list was Hardy Diagnostics, a medical device manufacturer.

click to enlarge Spotlight on: Santa Maria Public Library Seed Program
PHOTO BY SPENCER COLE
MOXIE FOR THE LIBRARY:: Moxie Cafe recently opened up a small location inside the Santa Maria Public Library.

• On Aug. 20, Moxie Cafe opened up its small space inside the Santa Maria Public Library. The new location fills the void left by Cafe Steinbeck and will offer a variety of coffee drinks, smoothies, salads, greens, and sandwiches. Moxie will also have additional outdoor seating.

• Local apiarists celebrated National Bee Day on Aug. 18 at the Flying Goat Cellars tasting room. The event was hosted by the Lompoc Valley Beekeepers Association. National Honey Bee Day aims to raise awareness of the bee industry through education and promotion. The day was first celebrated in 2009 by a small group of beekeepers after a successful petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Southern California Gas Co. held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 14 at its branch office in Santa Maria. Officials said the event, in partnership with the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, was held "to promote its convenient location for customers to make payment in person." The office's hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at 550 E. Betteravia Road, suite B.

• Santa Maria's Block Grants Advisory Committee will conduct a public workshop at the Learning Center in the Santa Maria Public Library (421 S. McClelland St.) on Monday, Aug. 27, at 5:30 p.m. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss general unmet needs in the community and also provide the opportunity for citizens to comment on past performance under the Community Development Block Grant program, according to Santa Maria Community Programs Manager Rosie Narez. A Spanish-speaking translator will be available at the workshop.

• A business expo is scheduled to be held in Solvang at the restaurant Root 246 (420 Alisal Road) on Oct. 23 from 5 to 9 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Solvang Chamber of Commerce.

• The Lompoc Valley Historical Society has an open house slated for Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its 1875 Victorian home (207 N. L St. in Lompoc).

Staff Writer Spencer Cole wrote this week's Biz Spotlight. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, mail, or email at [email protected].

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