Safe to say many of you may not know what a seed library is, let alone know about some controversies that have popped up involving them in other states.
Seed libraries are usually small collections and located in public locations, like a traditional library. The seeds are available for the public to take and grow in their gardens. Individuals can also contribute to the collection.
But in a couple of other states, attempts to enforce the commercial seed law on these operations.
"Which would have forced them to do things like test seeds. In Illinois, that would have been $9 per sample," said Rebecca Osland with the Illinois Stewardship Alliance, which has pushed for protecting seed libraries. "There was a real chilling effect."
She said that also can prevent sharing of important heirloom varieties that promote diversity, especially in food crops.
In Illinois, legislation to protect seed libraries and seed swaps is before the Governor. It would require more record keeping of what's being donated.
