Community Seed Swap swaps more than just seeds

The Niwot United Method Church hosted the Third Annual Community Seed Swap on Saturday, Jan. 25 in Gunbarrel. The Seed Swap brought gardeners and would-be gardeners together for an exchange of seeds, gardening tips and community.

Two master gardeners from Colorado State University, Patty Rhodes and Eric Redding, gave an educational talk about seed-starting in Colorado before the seed swap started.

Despite the fact that there was a snowstorm during the event, there was a much larger turnout than last year's seed swap, with an estimated 80 people attending. According to the coordinators, the church's parking lot was completely full.

"The event was vibrant and inspiring, with gardeners and seedheads coming together to share in community and seeds," Elise Edson, one of the coordinators of the event said after the event. "The Seed Swap is all about neighbors helping neighbors-sharing knowledge, stories, and seeds. It encourages sustainable gardening practices and supports local plant varieties. Most importantly, it creates a space where people can meet, exchange ideas, and form lasting connections, all while having fun talking about plants."

Seed companies and local volunteers also attended the seed swap, including representatives from The Seedstead, Vibrant Earth Seeds, and the People and Pollinators Action Network. In addition to seeds, the Niwot United Methodist Church had other resources for new gardeners.

The Seed Swap event was started during the pandemic by Edson, Maureen Harvey, and Diana Neff. "This year, the swap featured an expanded variety of seeds, including more regionally adapted options and a focus on Colorado-adapted and native pollinator plants," Edson said. "Additionally, there was a notable increase in turnout despite the snow storm. We also were lucky enough to have CSU Master Gardeners, PPAN, and two local seed companies, which seemed to be a hit with attendees."