According to The Capital Area Food Bank’s 2024 Hunger Report, 37% of Cleveland County households experienced food insecurity at some time during the past year. Building on an initiative started in 2021, N.C. Cooperative Extension and NCSU Steps to Health partnered with the Cleveland County Library System to expand a seed library program that serves local citizens. The goal of the project is to reduce food insecurity by empowering people to grow their own food and to incorporate those fresh fruits and vegetables into into healthy family meals.
Library staff and volunteers (including Extension & Community Association members and Extension Master Gardeners) were recruited to serve on the project planning committee. The team selected, packaged, and stocked the distribution points with a wide assortment of seasonal seed varieties throughout the spring and fall gardening seasons.
With additional grant funding from NCSU Steps to Health, the project was expanded by making seeds available through the Cleveland County Library System's Bookmobile, serving those who may have been unable to come to the bricks and mortar library branches in Shelby and Kings Mountain.
In addition to free seeds, the program offered workshops and demonstrations to teach patrons gardening skills, how to grow micro-greens, and how to save their own seeds for planting next season. A variety of books, educational materials, and equipment were made available for use at each seed distribution outlet.
During 2024, more than 200 library patrons utilized the seed library, and approximately 12% of these patrons were repeat users. There was a significant increase in both the number and variety of seed packets distributed. In 2022, 748 total seed packets were distributed. That rose to 1,444 packets in 2024 (a 93% increase). In 2023, patrons selected 90 unique seed varieties for planting. That number increased to 153 varieties in 2024 (a 70% increase).
Nineteen participants responded to an optional survey, all reporting that the seed library helped them achieve their gardening goals and their plans to continue using the seed library in coming years.
Responses included these comments:
"I have taken some seed packets to little free food pantries in the area and they have been taken pretty immediately. I’m hoping this helps people who don’t have access to a car grow their own food."
"The seeds provided me with fresh vegetables and fruits. I saw where they have herbs as well and hope to start a herb garden soon."
"Everything grew beautifully! I had lots of lettuce this year."
Plans are in place to sustain and grow the seed library project in coming years.
