Good news! The Seed and Tool Library is open!
You can order seeds, and reserve tools, seed starting kits, and microgreen kits.
To make a reservation or for information, please call the library at 603-352-0157 or email gzachariah@KeeneNH.gov.
The Monadnock Grows Together Seed and Tool Lending Libraries were developed in collaboration with the Keene Public Library, Cheshire County Conservation District, Antioch University New England's Community Garden Connections (CGC), and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
Monadnock Grows Together is funded by the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) established the Urban Agriculture Conservation Grant Initiative in 2016 to help conservation districts and their partners provide much-needed technical assistance for agricultural conservation in developed or predominantly developing areas. Since July 2016, NAC and NRCS have awarded three rounds of grants, totaling $4 million to 81 conservation district projects across 34 states.
The Libraries
Now you can order seeds on our google form and then pick up the kits at the library, or you can come to the library and choose for yourself. Our seed rack is kept in the Atrium.
Our Seed Library is open to everyone in the community at no charge. No library card is necessary to take seeds. We provide, in addition to seeds, education, and resources about growing and saving seeds and organic gardening. We hope that seed library patrons will return some seeds from their harvest to make the library self-sustaining.
Want to start gardening but don't have the right tools? Ready to tackle a big yard project and need something unusual? The Tool Library can help! Our tool lending library is in the Kingsbury Makerspace and is open to all Cheshire County residents. No library card is necessary, but borrowers must fill out and sign the Keene Public Library Tool Borrower Responsibility Agreement.
Gardener Support
Do you have questions about the seed and tool libraries or library materials dealing with gardening? Contact Gail Zachariah at the Keene Public Library, 603-352-0157.