November’s first cold days have arrived with their light that makes me want to look closely at what’s close by. I like these slow days of short, clear light.
Still, a recent announcement from The Concord Free Public Library about the formation of the Concord Seed Lending Library made me look up and forward.
And, of course, it furrowed my brow a little. What, I wondered, is a Seed Lending Library? What do I borrow? What do I return? And, given my habit of slow use, can a seed be overdue?
A quick trip on the Web took me to concordseedlendinglibrary.org, and there I found the new group’s mission statement and their intent to open for business next spring.
Here’s their purpose: The mission of the Concord Seed Lending Library, an initiative of the Concord Free Public Library, is to increase our community’s capacity to feed itself wholesome food by being an accessible and free source of locally-adapted plant seeds, supplied and cultivated by and for area residents. The Concord Seed Lending Library promotes biodiversity through the time-honored tradition of seed saving, nurtures locally-adapted plant varieties, and fosters community resilience, self- reliance, and a culture of sharing. The Concord Seed Lending Library strives to fulfill its mission by establishing a depository of open pollinated seeds held in trust for members of the community and by providing education and instruction about proper seed growing and saving methods.
That makes wonderful sense, I thought. A central collection of seeds could promote a sort to agricultural literacy akin to the reading literacy traditionally advanced by a library. And, of course, seeds do fit in conveniently compact spaces; such a lending library could be extensive and tiny at the same time.
There’s more, as you may imagine, much more to be learned, and I’ll return with further thoughts. But for now, those who want to learn more can attend an informational talk with the library’s Co-Coordinators Enid Hart Boasberg and Kitty Smith, and with Debbie Bier, a board member of the Thoreau Farm on November 10th at 3:00 pm at the Concord Free Public Library’s Fowler Branch, at 1322 Main St.
Not that I or any other seasonal characters want to rush the daily constellations of light and cold and cloud and…perhaps…snow, and arrive at spring too soon. But seeds, as Henry Thoreau knew, are dreams too. And promise of spring seems good seed for winter dreams.