By Adrienne Fouts
A woman looks through the seeds available in the Watauga Public Library’s former card catalog. Photo by Cody Miller
Following the example of other seed libraries in Appalachia such as those in Berea, Ky., and Abingdon, Va., the Watauga County Public Library and Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture launched the Watauga Seed Library in Boone, N.C., on April 1.
Seed libraries offer community members the chance to receive free seeds to grow in their personal or community gardens. The Watauga Seed Library will offer open-pollinated seeds donated by companies and by dedicated “seed-savers,” who save seeds from their gardens to share in the library.
Dave Walker of Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture says the Watauga Seed Library is a place to preserve heirloom fruits and vegetables that have adapted to the Appalachian region, as well as the stories and recipes associated with them that have been passed down through generations.
Ribbon cutting at the Watauga County Seed Library. Photo by Dave Walker
“We want to introduce people to new plant varieties that have developed in our area and to give a cultural context,” Walker says. “Food and place are really connected. A seed library is a physical space that can bring a lot of things together: the seeds, the people, the stories.”
Editor’s note: On April 7, the Ashe County Seed Library opened at the Ashe County Public Library, in partnership with Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and Ashe County Cooperative Extension Services.
Related Articles
Latest News
More Stories
Signs of Life
In the Nantahala National Forest, a team of biologists spotted Indiana bats, an endangered species that hasn’t been seen in North Carolina for the last 11 years.
‘First Line of Defense’
During Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, rural fire departments and other first responder hubs played critical roles in keeping their communities safe, even without power and cut off from outside support for days or weeks after the storm. Two years later, plenty of work remains to ensure these hubs have the resources they need to operate day to day and be ready when emergencies or natural disasters strike.
The Rocky Road — and Bridge — to Recovery
Hurricane Helene is estimated to have damaged nearly 7,000 private roads and bridges in Western North Carolina. Two years later, many restoration projects are complete, but the journey hasn’t been easy — and isn’t over for others.
After 20 Years, Letcher County Prison Proposal Is Still Alive, Though Obstacles Remain
A $605 million proposal for a federal prison on a former strip mine site in Letcher County, Kentucky, championed by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, refuses to die, despite local opposition, a lack of support from the executive branch and numerous other obstacles.
The Washout and Rebuild
For nearly two years, residents of Unicoi County, Tennessee, have had to make do without a hospital after Hurricane Helene destroyed the rural hospital. Ballad Health, which owns the hospital, broke ground on a new location — in another floodplain — in August 2026.
The Shenandoah Salamander
The Shenandoah salamander is a woodland salamander, which has adapted to life at higher elevations away from water. This sparkling rarity lives among the dry leaves, cracked logs, and stony hillocks on the highest peaks of Shenandoah National Park.
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Leave a Comment