Bridging Cultures Through Seeds – Czech Seed Library Inspiration Spreads to Georgia (Challenge Fund grant project)
This methodology manual, compiled by Klára Hrdá from experience with the Czech Semínkovna initiative (2015–2024), provides practical guidance on creating, running and sustaining seed libraries. It explains what seed libraries are, how they differ from formal seed banks, and their roles in conserving locally adapted, non-hybrid varieties and in community education. The guide covers step-by-step setup (location, packaging, labelling, rules, team building), seed production basics, suitable crops for beginners, seed handling and phytosanitary precautions, budgeting and outreach, visual branding and registration of libraries in the Semínkovna network. It also summarises Czech legal considerations relevant to seed libraries, presents the 2024 Seed Patron pilot scheme promoting community seed adoption, and describes the Czech–Moldovan “United through Seeds” project that supported establishing seed libraries in Moldova. Contact details and publishing information for Semínkovna, z.s. are provided.
Key topics: seed libraries, community seed banks, seed saving, seed production, local varieties, agrobiodiversity, seed library network
