The Athens Public Library will be hosting a workshop Thursday that will teach participants to save money while “eating a rainbow” through seed saving.
The workshop, organized by Community Food Initiatives, will teach people to store seeds from their gardens in a variety of ways so they can be planted again in the spring, Community Gardens Coordinator Janice Brewer said.
Brewer said the end of fall is the perfect time of year to begin storing seeds for winter, and the workshop will be beneficial for both those who have saved seeds before and those who are new to it.
“(Seed saving) is a heritage that’s kind of been lost in our culture,” she said. “It definitely gives you more food security. You’re less dependent on having to buy seeds.”
Brewer said people in Appalachia often do not have access to fresh food, and doing things like having a garden and preserving seeds can ensure food security.
“It’s empowering knowing this knowledge of being able to do something for yourself, and becoming more dependent on yourself rather than ‘the system, ’ " she said.
Susan Young, an experienced gardener who is passionate about promoting sustainable living and access to healthy food, will be leading the workshop. After living in Southeast Ohio for years, she said she will passing on the tips and tricks she has learned to store seeds effectively.
“I’m interested in growing things that are … delicious and grow well in the soil where I’m living,” she said. “I’m also kind of a geek so I’m always looking for new and interesting projects with gardening where I can expand what I know.”
Young said during her time in Appalachia she has learned which vegetables grow best in the soil here. She plans to share her insight with others at the workshop by showing a video, distributing a worksheet and possibly giving a demonstration.
“I think people in Appalachia used to eat pretty well, but now have less access to good food,” she said. “My goal is to help people save money and have fresh nutritional variety, like eating a rainbow.”
