Local Growers Ensure Continued Access to Vital Seed Library

Wind River Farm to Plate started hosting a seed library for small-scale and backyard gardeners around Lander just before the pandemic hit. The hyper-local seed library is a vital way to provide gardeners free access to a greater variety of seeds that will more reliably grow and produce in Wyoming’s harsh climate. The Fremont County Library in Lander had offered to house the seed library, providing a central location for nearby growers to find and share seeds. With the arrival of the pandemic, however, and greatly reduced hours at the public library, Wind River Farm to Plate had to pivot. As seeds became even harder to source nationwide, WRFP opted to deliver seeds by mail. But the logistics of filling, delivering, and managing seed orders were not feasible for an all-volunteer organization. When local grower and Wind River Farm to Plate board member brought this problem to LOR’s attention, the foundation was able to provide funding to hire a dedicated project manager who could implement and oversee an online ordering and delivery system