DoomsdaysCW<p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/ElkRapidsMI" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>ElkRapidsMI</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/library" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>library</span></a> starts seed library, offers <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/FreeSeeds" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>FreeSeeds</span></a> for <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/CommunityGardening" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>CommunityGardening</span></a></p><p>by Marc Schollett, March 16th 2025</p><p>ANTRIM COUNTY, Mich,. (WPBN/WGTU) - - "With temperatures rising across northern <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Michigan" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Michigan</span></a>, folks with green thumbs are gardens are already thinking of what they'll plant this spring, but a northern Michigan library maybe one step ahead of them and lending a helping hand at the same time.</p><p>"'Libraries are a place where people come together for community,' said Emily Spielbauer, Elk Rapids District Library.</p><p>"The Elk Rapids District Library isn't huge, but what it offers the community it serves is gigantic.</p><p>"'I mean, it feels great to know that you're serving the community or feeling a need,' said Spielbauer.</p><p>"Inside, a ton of books, but it's what just appeared in their lobby this week that may have folks stopping to take a second look.</p><p>"Ultimately right now we're really excited about the opening of our seed library in which people can come and get seeds," said Spielbauer.</p><p>"It is a library inside a library.</p><p>"So we've got a lot of produce, a lot of different types of things that you can eat. We have a small section of flowers, but the idea is that we're offering a source of food for the community," said Spielbauer.</p><p>"Right in the corner, is the library's seed library, hundreds of packets, of dozens of different things you can grow in your garden.</p><p>"'So the seeds are a self-service station. People do not have to give their name or anything. They can just come in and take what they will use,' said Spielbauer.</p><p>"The seeds are free, but there is a tremendous perk for getting them here that you just don't get buying them at the store.</p><p>"'You get these green thumbs together and they start talking about their favorite things to grow. And like I said, sharing tips and tricks together,' said Spielbauer.</p><p>"The seed library offers all the things you might expect to grow here in Northern Michigan...and a few that have sparked some curiosity.</p><p>"'One thing that I've not seen go and I'm really interested if someone would report back is the okra. Like I don't know how to grow it and we've got a lot of okra seeds,' said Spielbauer.</p><p>"A lot of seeds, thanks to a lot of donations."</p><p>Read more:<br><a href="https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/elk-rapids-library-starts-seed-library-offers-free-seeds-for-community-gardening" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">upnorthlive.com/news/local/elk</span><span class="invisible">-rapids-library-starts-seed-library-offers-free-seeds-for-community-gardening</span></a><br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SolarPunkSunday" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SolarPunkSunday</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/LibrariesRule" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>LibrariesRule</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SeedLibrary" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SeedLibrary</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SeedSharing" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SeedSharing</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BuildingCommunity" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>BuildingCommunity</span></a></p>