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INPRIMATU
Seed library
Books and seeds, public wealth
  • For years, seed library projects have been launched in Navarre and elsewhere. Seed libraries, book libraries. Antzuola's librarian, Ane Leturia Delfrade, was aware of these projects at a conference organized by the Basque Country Seed Network and thought about taking them to the library that manages the same idea. A corner has been made available to the public to store and receive indigenous seeds. Like books, users can take the seeds they want to sow and reproduce at home.
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Argazkia: Goiena.

“With this project we intend to create a space where people can have access to the seeds of indigenous varieties, as well as enhance the space for exchange,” explains Leturia. The librarian has been in contact with Clara Flamarique, coordinator of the Seed Library of Navarra, in the confidence that his model would be useful for the people. In Gipuzkoa he does not know of similar initiatives, but who knows, Antzuola's can be a stimulus to awaken more in his environment.

In order to repatriate the project, 6th grade students have developed a wardrobe to store seeds with the help of the carpenter. For the time being, the seeds of the Aleka association, produced by agro-ecological farmers in the Basque Country, have been made available. And they invite the citizens who have seeds to bring the seeds that have been kept there.

Besides the seed cabinet, knowledge exchange

The librarian considers it important to delve deeper into the subject. For this reason, a workshop on seed reproduction was organized from the library: “The aim of the project is for these people who receive seeds to know that they multiply and bring some seeds back to the library.” Seed breeding workshop with Marc Badal from the Haziera Foundation of San Sebastian. A second training session will be held in November, in this case related to seed cleaning and storage, and new initiatives related to agriculture will be incorporated later on.

The Antzuola library is a road started a few weeks ago, but at the moment it is receiving a good answer. In addition, it is assisted by producers and members of the local consumption group. “Books and seeds seem unrelated, but by explaining that seeds and their knowledge are part of our culture, people quickly understand the project,” he concludes.