Here's what's available in the seed archive, for Spring 2007...

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a public archive of healthy seeds collected from many places and people

the seed archive is housed in chicago. the seed archive is particularly interested in seed that is food or medicinals, habitat building, shade creating and soil building. the archive only accepts, stores and loans viable, well-identified seeds.

seeds are alive. they need to be carefully stored in order to remain healthy and assure their germination. and well-identified. seed is loaned for free to those who are commited to growing them, enjoying them and returning some of the next generation of seed back to store at the seed archive. some seed is in smaller quantities and needs to be grown out from year to year to increase its supply. if you are interested in being a grower, please let me know.

there are four yearly opportunities to directly interact with and contribute to the archive: ‘swap n’ store’ days.

2006 seed archive ‘swap n’ store’:

• mar 26th (sun) 12-3pm, mess hall
• apr 3rd (sun) 12-3pm, 2446 south sawyer
• june 25th (sun) 12-3pm, 2446 south sawyer
• sept 24th (sun) 12-3pm, 2446 south sawyer

what to bring to a ‘swap and store’:

• healthy seeds to swap or/and store with the archive
• food and stories to share with others
• questions/ideas aboutseed collecting, saving, storing or growing

the seed archive is always ready and open to you. if seed needs to be posted or swapped with someone who is not local, basic postage needs to be covered. seed contributions/inquiries/requests at all other times can be addressed to:

salvation jane
the seed archive
2446 south sawyer avenue
chicago, il 60623
jane[at]salvationjane.net

who has access to the seed archive?
the seed archive is a public access archive and resource. anybody who is interested in growing and is committed to doing so. seeds are kept alive only by people planting them.

what kind of seed do you have at the seed archive?
anything from medicinals, culinary, ornamental, habitat creating and soil building seeds. some seeds are more unusual or uncommonly found. some of these seeds are very old heirlooms that have been grown out and handed down for centuries.

where do they come from?
from many places. they have been gathered from other seed banks, from individual growers, a few specialized commercial sources or have been foraged.

how do i get seeds?
just ask for them. i will send you the amount you need as long as the archive has it and you need only return to the archive 2x what i send you. this is what grows the archive.

how many can i ask for?
as many as you feel you can responsibly care for.

what if i don’t know what to grow or how to grow it?
the archive has some varieties of seed that need to be grown out more frequently than others. if you are willing to grow some, it is really helpful. also, you can always ask questions. it is part of the process that we share and learn from each other.

are there other ways of participating with the archive?
tell us your stories about growing, cooking, using seeds, volunteer ot help come to a ‘swap n’ store’

what is a ‘swap n’ store’?
it is an opportunity to come together and share stories, process seed (lots of winnowing and hulling going on!), ask questions, share stories and food, swap seeds and donate seeds to the archive. ‘swap n’ shares’ happen 4x yearly.

how do i contact the archive?
send an e-mail jane[at]salvationjane.net