The Little Free Seed Library, a new community resource designed to inspire local gardening, support food sustainability and honor the agricultural roots of the Centralia community, will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 25, at 12 p.m. at the Centralia Timberland Library.
This event is free and open to the public. Attendees can explore the new seed library, swap seeds and starts, learn more about the Friends of the Centralia Timberland Library, and be entered to win a gift card to Fern Ridge Floral & Design or a jar of Hoa Rain Forest honey from Hub City Honey Company.
Vagabond Coffee PNW will provide several potted plant starts to kick off the plant exchange. Fern Ridge Floral & Design and Lewis County Community Wellness Collaborative are both donating seed packets to help kick start the program.
Let’s Play Something has donated kids’ gardening kits for the first nine children attending the grand opening, the Centralia Downtown Association has provided 50 wildflower “Hub Seedy Love” packets for event attendees, and Hub City Honey Company has donated honey sticks for attendees, as well.
“This project is about more than gardening. It’s about community resilience and connection,” Hallie Ralls, president of the Friends of the Centralia Timberland Library, said in a news release. “We hope this seed library empowers residents to grow their own food, beautify their neighborhoods and share knowledge across generations. Agriculture is such an integral part of Centralia’s story, and we’re excited to help continue that legacy.”
The Little Free Seed Library operates on the same principles as Little Free Libraries: take some, leave some. Community members are welcome to borrow seeds for vegetables, herbs and flowers, and are encouraged to return saved seeds at the end of the growing season to help keep the library stocked. Potted plants and propagations are also welcome.
“Putting this seed library together has been a community-wide effort, and I am so grateful to our Centralia Friends and our participating local businesses for making this happen,” Muriel Wheatley, regional manager for North Lewis, Centralia and Chehalis Timberland branches, said in the release. “I am thrilled that the library can connect community members with seeds and starts, and I hope that this access allows patrons of all ages to discover the joy in growing and tending to plants.”
