Thanks to the sponsors, volunteers and attendees, the Second Annual Seed Exchange was a huge success. More than 80 persons, including children, exchanged seed, visited with animals, and got valuable gardening information. Besides exchanging seeds and plants, activities for the event included hands on planting and animal petting for the children. A drawing was held for the children; many winning valuable garden tools, donated by sponsors.
Cheryl Moore-Gough presented a program on seed saving. Bee keeper, Steve Thorson was on hand answering questions about raising bees, and harvesting honey. Composting, an indispensable tool for healthy gardening, was addressed with pamphlets. Also demonstrated was a technique for composting in the classroom. Gardening experts gladly answered questions about gardening. Those new to the area were particularly appreciative of the information and advice. Sponsors include Black Robin Farm and Orchard, The Bozeman Public Library, Rocky Mountain Gardening Magazine, and The Youth Imperative. Many Seed companies also helped with the donation of boxes of seed packets.
Special thanks to the Community Food Co-op, Owenhouse Hardware, Murdocks, Lawson’s Greenhouse, and Walmart. Thanks for the show of support, a Seed Library is being planned for the Library; it will definitely be a reality in the coming year. The idea here is that anyone may check out packets of seed, grow and produce more seed to be returned to the Library. Also included in the program will be pamphlets and gardeners available to teach about growing and harvesting seed. There would be no reason for anyone doing without seed with which to plant a garden. •