Ocean Beach Seed Library Program
Good Neighbor Gardens has established a very fruitful relationship with the Ocean Beach Seed Library and we are super excited to share some insider info with you all from Destiny Rivera, a Seed Librarian, and one of our Good Neighbor harvest subscribers!
Destiny’s Interview:
What is the OB Seed Library (additionally... who founded it, when did it come about, what was the inspiration in creating it)?
The OB Seed Library is an establishment that lends and shares seeds. Seed libraries are educational tools often equipped with programs, workshops, and community events that promote sustainable food systems and local biodiversity. The OB Seed Library came into being from a conversation between Destiny Rivera (Librarian) and Nathan Lou (Founder of the Mongol Tribe/ Lou Family Farms) at the 3rd Annual Seed Fest at Terra Madre Gardens <3. Nathan was hosting a seed swap and mentioned a variety of programs he and his non-profit were offering to the community. When Nathan mentioned his collaboration with the National City Library, Destiny's ears perked up. "Perhaps we could begin a collaboration", I thought. And so months of communication, planning, & strategizing began. On March 23, 2019, the Ocean Beach Seed Library hosted its Grand Opening with live music, food, and dynamic presentations from local experts. The rest was history :)
How do Good Neighbor Garden's seed donations benefit the program?
Good Neighbor Garden seeds benefit the program by providing our seed collection with locally grown seeds from a trusted community partner. Not only does GNG seed donations benefit our collection by offering beautiful and diverse seeds, but it fulfills a mission of seed libraries to create beneficial relationships with community leaders and organizations. We are able to share GNG services & programs with our seed library community which benefits our members. This spirit of collaboration and resource exchange is at the heart of the mission of seed libraries. Pre-Covid, GNG offered a fantastic presentation at the OB Library on the work of GNG and why it is important to establish a relationship with the earth, food, and, equally, one's neighbors. Presentations like these benefit the heart and soul of our community.
How can people participate in the program (by donating and/or receiving seeds)? Is it limited to OB residents, or beyond?
Anyone within the San Diego county can participate in the OB Seed Library program. Due to COVID-19, we have moved our program to a virtual platform. Those interested in receiving seeds from OBSL can fill out this form https://forms.gle/tvYs2kpV1MvbxzJB6 and seeds will be sent out to you via mail!. You can also mail your locally grown, non-GMO, heirloom and/or organic seed donations directly to the OB Library (4801 Santa Monica Ave. San Diego, CA 92107). We thank you so much for your participation and support!
How can folks learn more? Please include info about the by-mail program!
You can find out more about the OB Seed Library by joining the Ocean Beach Seed Library FB Group. We have more information about the seed library, its mission & values, and more at the Ocean Beach Library webpage. Also, please feel free to reach out to Destiny Rivera directly at drivera@sandiego.gov to find out more!
Do you have socials accounts we can link?
At this point, we just have the Ocean Beach Seed Library FB Group. You can also tag @sdpubliclibrary and @sdlibraryfoundation to help share the mission of GNG and seed libraries with the SD Public Library community :)
How does Good Neighbor Gardens contribute to the library?
Good Neighbor Gardens Farmhands are committed to saving seeds from the food that we are growing in our Gracious Neighbors’ yards. And we are proud to share that some of the food which we are currently growing was originally sourced from seeds provided by the OB Seed Library.
We also collect them from our Good Neighbor harvest share subscribers, who save seeds from the fresh food that they receive in their boxes. Our subscribers then share the seeds with us when exchanging their empty harvest box for a fresh, full box.
