The THYME is almost here for Center for Coalfield Justice’s 5th Annual Seed Swap! Okay, that joke may be corny 🌽but in all seriousness, the swap has always been one of my favorite CCJ events. I know when I start hearing about it that spring blooms aren’t far behind! Even before joining CCJ as a full time employee, I always loved volunteering at the annual Seed Swap.
As a community member, long before I was CCJ’s Event Coordinator, I experienced firsthand the importance of initiatives like this that empower residents to not only have the necessary know-how to grow their own nutritious fresh foods, but also the materials needed to make it happen. Seeds, potting soil, containers to grow in, and other materials can be expensive. Even after researching the most cost-effective ways to garden, the cost to get started can add up quickly!
This is one of the many reasons why every year with the help of our generous donors, we not only supply the community with seeds to support a bountiful harvest, but grow bags provided by our friends at Root Pouch. This year we are excited to have over 150 free grow bags to give out to community members! These are first come, first serve, so if you want to make sure you get one, register ASAP! We also have a special treat for attendees who bring seeds to swap. This year our buddies over at Back to the Roots sent us 🍄5 Mushroom Grow Kits 🍄we will be raffling off throughout the event to folks who bring seeds to swap. Bringing seeds is not a requirement, but we appreciate those who contribute to making this event a success!
We here at CCJ believe our communities deserve access to the means to grow their own healthy foods, beautify their spaces, and enjoy all the benefits that come with it! Studies show gardening is not only a great activity to maintain our physical health, but our mental health as well by reducing our stress and improving our mood. Nothing lifts my spirits more than sitting on my porch on a late spring day, coffee cup in hand, and looking out at the beginnings of a flourishing summer garden. When residents attend swaps such as these, they are also given the opportunity to connect with our like-minded neighbors. This is how we plant the seeds of community!
Another commonly overlooked benefit of increasing the amount of produce we grow in our own homes, is that it greatly reduces the distance our food has to travel to get to us. I love tomatoes picked at peak ripeness when they have the richest flavor and I can grow many varieties not found in commercial retail areas. Grocery store tomatoes don’t hold a candle to a homegrown Black Krim (one of my personal favorites). 🍅
Let’s not forget, when we empower our communities to grow our own food we are also giving them access to the ability to seed save. This education can provide local families with food for years to come! Need information on seed saving? Be sure to join us March 22nd from 1-4:00pm at Citizens Library in Washington for the Seed Swap! You can engage with Penn State Master Gardeners to ask all your planty questions, or venture upstairs and support Citizen’s Library by taking home a book with all the knowledge you need. And be sure to check out their Seed Catalog organized by Pam Kilgore of WashPA Outdoors.
We are so lucky to have a community rich in wonderful gardening resources and passionate people who are eager to share them. Communities that garden together, grow together! 🌱