Seed Packaging & Envelopes: Level Up 🪜
and learn more about our exciting volunteer opportunities!
By Sam Lieberman
As a seed library grows, there are strategies that can be implemented to maintain robust records. A particularly innovative solution was shared by the Brown County Seed Library in Green Bay Wisconsin. Overwhelmed by the number of different crops each year and the numerous folders, binders, and labels to keep track of them all, Braedon Richlen, a member of New Leaf Foods and the BCSL designed an Auto Wrapper using Google Sheets.
Every row of the first sheet of the document entitled “Information” contains a crop name, followed by important planting information in each column. Each crop is subsequently given a unique numerical identifier.
When this number is plugged into “Place Seed # Here:” on the second sheet entitled “Generator”, the information from the previous sheet auto populates the label information on the third and fourth sheets entitled “8.5x11” and “11x17” for their respective formatting dependent on paper size. The Brown County Seed Library prints their labels commercially, but they are designed to be printed from any standard printer.
Braedon was kind enough to share a recorded demonstration of the Auto Wrapper which can be accessed here.
He also provided a shareable Google Sheet that allows anyone to make a copy of the document for their seed library: Auto Seed Wrapper Blank.
MAKE A COPY OF THIS! There is also a modified version that is one-sided.
Braedon is also available to answer questions. Contact him through his website: www.braedonrichlen.pro.
One additional note: The Auto Wrapper is not programmed to automatically adjust the font size of the Common or Scientific name. If they are longer than the column allows, you must adjust the font size for each name cell on the label sheet (8x11 and 11x17 respectively) by hand.
Braedon recommends starting a new document for each year and archiving them as a historical record. He also encourages seed libraries to host packing days where members of the community pack and label envelopes together. These seed packing parties serve as a way to build community and increase seed packing capacity!
If you missed it, don't worry! Catch up with our skill share class on best practices for seed library labels and envelopes, plus tips on how to take your skills to the next level.
Volunteer with Us!
Our network is growing, and so is our need for enthusiastic volunteers. We’re reaching out to ask if you could lend a hand on a monthly basis to help us continue our mission of spreading seeds and knowledge.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have a few specific tasks that we need help with:
- Website Feedback: Help us improve the user experience on our newly redesigned website.
- Research: Assist with gathering information that supports our programs.
- Signage Translation: Translate our signs into multiple languages, such as Spanish or French, to reach more communities.
Once you've found a task that speaks to you, email us at hello@seedlibrarynetwork.org and let us know which Task # you'd like to help with.
Create a Seed Saving Poster
We also have an exciting opportunity for those of you who are creatively inclined! We are providing some sample text so you can be a new seed saver and still create posters. We're inviting our community to design seed saving posters for crops that are perfect for beginners. These include:
- Lettuce
- Common Beans
- Peas
- Tomatoes
Your posters will be used to encourage seed returns, and the best part?
We've partnered with the Great American Seed Up, who will be offering seed bundles to a few randomly selected submissions! The posters we love the most will also be featured on our website's "Signage" page.
Guidelines & Submission
Please note that the signage should not be branded by individual seed libraries so that they can be used universally across our network. We believe that getting these resources out there is more important than any branding.
We’re looking forward to seeing your creativity in action and welcoming more of you to our team of volunteers!
Thank you for being a part of our vibrant Seed Library Network community.
Warm regards,
The Seed Library Network Team
We are excited about the auto seed wrapper. Thanks, Braedon!
Greetings! How do we post submissions for the seed saving posters?