'Incredibly empowering': Carlow Council launch county's first ever pilot Seed Library

Carlow County Council’s environment and libraries sections, supported by Libraries Ireland’s Skills for Life programme, successfully launched the county’s first pilot Seed Library recently. 

Bringing local growers, community groups and educators together, the launch events took place on Saturday, March 21 and 28 in Carlow Library to strengthen community resilience, reduce waste and support climate action. 

Seed specialist Molly Aylesbury of Bare Necessities Ireland delivered two fully booked ‘Grow Your Own’ workshops. Participants began their journey by receiving free heritage, open‑pollinated vegetable seeds from Irish Seedsavers and Brown Envelope Seeds. They also learnt practical skills that will enable them to grow crops and save seed at harvest time. 

The Seed Library pilot was designed to operate as a community‑owned circular system where participants borrow seed, grow food and then return a portion of seed at the end of the season.

This approach supports seed sovereignty, reduces reliance on imported seed and promotes biodiversity suited to Carlow’s local growing conditions. Seeds were not distributed on a walk‑in basis; only registered growers participating in the full learning cycle were able to access them during the pilot. 

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Speaking after the event, Dermot O’Leary, Carlow Skills for Life Coordinator, said: “Carlow County Council Libraries were delighted with the response to our new Seed Library pilot. Libraries have always brought people together to learn and share skills, and this project extends that ethos into sustainable food growing. By saving and returning local seed, communities are helping to build a circular, low‑waste resource that strengthens Carlow’s resilience year after year. We’re excited to see how the seed collection grows through community stewardship.” 

Dee Sewell, Environmental Awareness Officer, highlighted the wider significance of community seed stewardship: “A circular economy isn’t just about reducing waste - it’s about keeping valuable resources in our communities, in use and in circulation for as long as possible. Seeds are one of the most powerful examples of this. When local people save and share their own seed, they build true seed sovereignty, reduce dependence on imported varieties, and protect biodiversity that’s uniquely adapted to Carlow’s soils and climate. The Seed Library shows how small, local actions can make a big contribution to climate resilience.” 

Trainer Molly Aylesbury also emphasised the long‑term value of the project: “Seed saving is an ancient skill and incredibly empowering. When communities save their own seed, they’re not just growing vegetables - they’re growing resilience, reducing food miles, and building stronger local networks. Heritage seed adapts to local conditions over time, so it becomes an even more valuable resource with every season.” 

To complete the seed cycle, participants will join a WhatsApp group for peer to peer learning and reconvene for hands-on harvesting and seed‑saving workshops on Saturday, August 8 and Saturday September 19, where they will learn how to clean, store and return viable seed to the community collection. 

The initiative supports Carlow County Council’s wider commitments to the circular economy, community wealth building, climate action and waste reduction, while also giving local residents practical tools to grow food, protect biodiversity and strengthen community resilience.