Each year, seed libraries across the State of Michigan come together to promote growing, saving, and sharing seeds! A seed is chosen that is an open-pollinated, heirloom variety. It is our hope that participants attempt to save seed and donate some back to the seed library, although this is not a requirement to participate in One Seed, One State.
Please submit a contact form if you have any questions about One Seed, One State.
When choosing our seed, we try for a Michigan connection. The ability to easily grow and save seeds from the plant in all parts of the state is a requirement. Each seed library receives seeds and access to digital promotional materials, including a full-color poster, labels, and a brochure with growing and seed-saving instructions.
New in 2023 was the ability to register multiple libraries. Some library systems prefer to receive and handle OSOS materials for their branch seed libraries at a central location. If this works for you, have one designated person apply for all the branches. If you want each branch to handle their own One Seed, One State materials, have each branch register as an individual seed library.
Registration is limited to public, academic, or tribal libraries or other community organizations that are open to the public.
MSLN cannot supply seeds to persons or families that are not affiliated with a public or academic organization. We encourage individuals in search of seeds to find a seed library near them using our interactive Michigan Seed Library Map. If you don’t find a seed library near you, stop by and encourage your library to consider opening one. Better yet, volunteer to help organize the project using the resources on this website!
We were thrilled to serve 216 seed libraries with One Seed, One State kits in 2023! The Michigan Seed Library Network’s One Seed/One State is run entirely by volunteers and funded by donations. Each participating organization in the One Seed/One State program contributes by filling and labeling their seed packets, setting up the display, and promoting the program locally. Participants are asked to provide feedback and a photo of their display at the end of the program.
Seed and materials for the 2023 and 2024 One Seed, One State are donated by Rosy Dawn Gardens
History of One Seed, One State
In 2019, The Michigan Seed Library Network announced our first One Seed, One State initiative to be held in 2020. Seed Libraries across the State of Michigan would come together to promote growing, saving, and sharing seeds! Due to mandated library closures in early 2020, we made the difficult decision to delay the program until 2021.
Despite the delay, the 2021 One Seed, One State initiative was a success! 63 Seed Libraries in Michigan registered, each receiving a kit with seeds, packets, and promotional materials. Many thanks to Seed Savers Exchange and Nature & Nurture Seeds for donating seeds for our program. A big thank-you also to the Capitol Area District Library and the Lyon Township Public Library for donating printed materials and for Deb Lynch of Grosse Pointe Public Library for creating our beautiful seed packets made from discarded library books.
The seed we chose for our inaugural outing was ‘Provider’ bean. ‘Provider’ is a delicious green snap bean with a bush growing habit and great vigor and disease resistance. It is known for its ability to germinate in cool soil, and beans are usually ready to pick and eat in 50-55 days. We wanted to choose a dependable vegetable that is easy to grow so that our gardeners would have a positive experience, and ‘Provider’ green bean fit the bill!
The One Seed, One State seed selection for 2022 was ‘Boston Pickling’ cucumber, an American heirloom with a Michigan connection! It was introduced in 1877 by the Detroit seed company D. M. Ferry & Co. It produces quickly from direct sowing in 55-63 days. It can be harvested at 2”-3” for pickles or at 5”-6” for slicing. ‘Boston Pickling’ can be trellised to save garden space. This selection gave us an opportunity to take a step forward in seed saving! Together, we learned more about isolation, hand pollinating, and processing of wet seeds.
In 2023 the seed selection was ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce. Our first cold hardy selection, it is suitable for growing in early spring and fall or in unheated hoop-houses in winter.
The Michigan Seed Library Network 2024 seed for One Seed, One State was ‘Mammoth Long Island’ Dill! Registration is now closed for the 2024 season. We had a record 262 Seed Libraries from all over Michigan sign up. Thank you to all who participated and shared seeds with their communities!