Mass Aggie Seed Library

Spring 2025 workshops will focus on using soil blockers to hold and germinate seeds.  Three workshops, all the same, limited to ten people per workshop to allow for hands-on making of soil blocks using the equipment in the Mass Aggie Seed Library.  Dates and times chosen to alleviate parking issues.

New to soil blocking - watch this video

Workshop registration through the Libraries events calendar:
Ditch the Plastic - Using a soil blocker for seed starting / Sunday 30 March 2025 3pm

Other Seed Starting and Soil Blocking workshops around locally:

We are all artists – Drawing Collections – Seeing is the first step 

Come as you are to an informal gathering to practice the art of drawing.  No experience necessary.  Each session we will have a few items for you to choose from and is a stand-alone meeting. Quality colored pencils and 4x4 artist tiles provided.  
Mass Aggie Seed Library / Conference Room / 3rd Floor in the Science & Engineering Library  

• Friday 28 March 1:30pm Drawing Collections - UMass Libraries LibCal - University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Friday 4 April 11am Drawing Collections - UMass Libraries LibCal - University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Monday 14 April 2pm Drawing Collections - UMass Libraries LibCal - University of Massachusetts Amherst
• Friday 25 April 1pm Drawing Collections - UMass Libraries LibCal - University of Massachusetts Amherst

Artist Malaika Ross - The Soil Beneath Us - Exhibit workshop - 9am Friday 11 April 2025       

Past Happenings:

Berkshire Athenaeum Seed Library Opening / Common Seed Project Tabling / Saturday 22 March 11am to Noon 
Ditch the Plastic - Using a soil blocker for seed starting / Thursday 20 March 2025 1:30pm (UMass Amherst Spring Recess week)
Ditch the Plastic - Using a soil blocker for seed starting / Sunday 9 March 2025 3pm
Fruition Seeds - Thursday 6 March 2025 @ 5pm - Sharing the Gift of Seeds at the Forbes Library

New and donated seed packets are added to the Cabinet of Goodness beginning early March.
In the meantime, as you dream, plan, and grow, learn from these linked resources:

• Rise and Shine series of seed-starting videos from Fruition Seeds
• Freed Seed Federation Seed School Series
• The Seed Growers Podcast by Dan Brisebois
• Ten Minute University Webinars: Let's Grow Together!

The Mass Aggie Seed Library is housed in the Science & Engineering Library located in the Lederle Graduate Research Center Lowrise at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.  The Seed Library is open for all to use on a self-service, non-mediated basis during the hours the Science & Engineering Library is open.

Are you coming to visit the Mass Aggie Seed Library for the first time from off-campus?

The Science & Engineering Library is open Monday - Friday, and Sunday's.  Please feel free to contact me for a personal tour.  The seed library is completely self-serve and non-mediated.  And please remember to sign the guest book!

Science & Engineering Library is located in the Lederle Lowrise on the very north end of campus.  

What’s new in the Mass Aggie Seed Library?
New things you might notice: 
Some drawers are labeled by family 
The card catalog seed drawers are a bit messy (overflowing with goodness)
Separate drawers with mystery seeds labeled "Who Knows"   

With patrons returning donated seeds in a variety of packaging, the seed envelope sizes are uneven, and therefore, the seed drawers are a bit messy to accommodate the variety of envelope sizes. 

"Who Knows" contains those seeds that do not meet our mission of organic, open-pollinated seeds, items donated with unclear labeling, or those seeds out of date.  Instead of throwing them away, we offer them this understanding as a way to learn about seed issues.  Be Curious - ask us why they are separated from the other seeds!  What makes them different?