Lompoc Village Library Manager Sierra Foster started a seed library at her branch after noticing several residents checking out gardening and landscaping books.
“Since we are in a small town, there isn’t a lot of things to do, so I wanted to give people some hobbies to do,” Foster said. “I wanted to support those interests and help people start a new hobby like gardening.”
Seed libraries allow residents to “check out” seeds they can take home and plant in their own garden beds, she said. Once the plants have grown, residents are asked to harvest and preserve the seeds and bring them to the library to keep the program going. The Village branch will also accept store-bought seeds as donations.
“Right now, we have tons—herbs, lettuce, peppers, beans, tomatoes, flowers. Pretty much anything you think would go into a garden,” Foster said. “The goal is to have this run year-round. Since we’re in California, you can plant seeds most times of the year and have success unless it’s freezing outside.”
Foster began researching seed libraries by looking into costs and what it would take to establish this program, she said. The Village Branch Library received seed donations from the Lompoc Botanical Society, the Rotary Club, and the High Mowing Seeds Club—a nonprofit that offers seed donations to nonprofits and schools. Foster added that she harvested additional seeds from the Lompoc Community Garden.
“There’s been a lot of interest lately to grow your own food since food prices have gone up so much and ingredient lists have gotten longer. I’ve just noticed more people getting interested in gardening because of those things,” Foster said. “I’ve noticed people I know personally garden and control what food they are consuming, and I thought the library would be a great place to support that.”
While the library is only providing the seeds at this time, Foster said that she hopes to provide workshops to teach people how to harvest seeds that they can bring back to the library.
“We also run a book club, and I run a story time. We are always looking to support other hobbies and interests—usually with books but in this case it’s with seeds,” she said. “The library is so important; it provides access to everyone. It doesn’t matter what class you’re in.”
Foster used to grow her own vegetables but now tends to a flower garden, she said, adding that she enjoys being able to watch something sprout “as you nurture it.”
“I just want people to get outside. I hope it will inspire them to learn something new while learning about nature, health, and nutrition,” she said. “I feel like so many of us are cooped up inside these days and if I can inspire somebody to start something at no cost, I think that’s really great and important.”
Highlights:
• Pacific Pride Foundation announced a new series of seven free informational webinar sessions designed to raise awareness about issues and topics surrounding the LGBTQ-plus community. Topics include understanding gender identity and pronoun usage, understanding sexual orientation (sexuality), and learning how to support and be an ally to the LGBTQ-plus community. Residents can register for the May 13 webinar: Understanding Gender and Pronouns, which is a one-hour training session that will allow attendees to understand the differences between sexual orientation, assigned sex at birth, gender identity, and gender expression. It will also give an overview of what pronouns are, how to use them, and how to be an ally to the transgender and nonbinary community. Visit pacificpridefoundation.org for more information.
• The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department invites residents 50 or older to attend the Boots and Bling Social on May 31 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center (510 East Park Ave.). During the event, a special Western dance performance will be presented by Line Dancing is Fun class members and will feature a guest singer. After the performance, guests will be invited to “dust off their boots” and join in the fun. No experience is necessary, both new and experienced dancers are welcome, no partners are required for line dances, and Western attire is encouraged. The Line Dancing is Fun class is offered in partnership with the People for Leisure and Youth Inc. (PLAY Inc.). The drop-in class is held each Monday and Wednesday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Mussell Center. The event is free, but a $5 donation for Play Inc. is suggested at the door. Complete the required advanced registration at www.cityofsantamaria.org/register.
Reach Staff Writer Taylor O’Connor at [email protected].
