Central SW Durham Seed and Plant Library

The Central SW Durham Seed and Plant Library is one of many in a network of seed and plant libraries around the Triangle region. At this library, there is a community self-serve area in the front yard of Janet and Edward’s residence. Access to the library is open 24/7 and all are welcome to visit, take what they need and leave what they can. There is no financial exchange, only physical resources such as seeds, pots, gardening magazines, tools, etc. Janet and Edward consider themselves custodians of the library, as opposed to owners. With this library they are practicing the tenets of mutual aid, community care, collective ownership and non-capitalist economic systems in order to democratize gardening and give more people the access to grow their own plants (food and non-food).

📍 1904 James St, Durham, NC 27707 

00:00 Introduction

02:35 How does it feel to have your home space utilized as a community space?

03:43 What was the motivation behind starting the seed and plant library?

05:00 What is the relationship like with the other seed libraries in the area?

06:40 You mentioned the network of local seed libraries being mostly women-run, why do you think that is?

09:15 Was there any neighborhood push back about the seed libarry in your front yard?

10:29 What was needed to set up the seed library?

13:02 Is this project a form of activism?

16:00 How is the seed library managed?

18:02 How can the seed library help build a more resilient community?

23:35 What vision do you have for the seed and plant library?

25:45 Are there any requirements or expectations for people to utilize the seed library?

27:24 How can someone get involved with this seed library?

28:13 What would you say to someone who wanted to start their own community seed library?

29:28 Is there anything else you think we should know about the Central SW Durham Seed and Plant Library?

Additional Resources