July 2018

 

The seed library was founded in 2018 by Dave Maxwell. He had purchased a house and started to see how quickly the cost added up for purchasing plants and seeds to start food and flower gardens. This lead him to research more affordable ways to obtain seeds. In his research, he found out about seed libraries. Finding that the local community did not have a seed library, he used his project management skills to create one on his own. He worked with the PA Department of Agriculture to ensure that any and all rules, procedures, and best practices would be followed, then self-funded the materials to get started. After reaching to seed companies, he was able to obtain donations to get the library started. He purchased BloomSeedLibrary.org and started building the infrastructure on July 19, 2018. 

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May 2019

  The seed library officially went live for public use on May 3rd, 2019 at the Greenwood Farm Market in Bloomsburg PA thanks to the kind folks at Greenwood Farm in Millville PA. The library was functional at the Farm Market until the Farm market took a hiatus.

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May 2021

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  Once covid-19 caused changes to the way we lived, Dave decided to reorganize the seed library for local patrons to be able to request seeds via email or online, which were then mailed or hand delivered by the President and Vice President. The library grew significantly during this period as more and more people were starting gardens to offset food costs. Once some covid restrictions lifted, Dave was able to partner with the Bloomsburg Public Library to have the seed library moved into their facilities. This would allow seeds to be accessible in a central area of the community as well as for longer hours. The seed library opened in the Bloomsburg Public Library on May 8th, 2021 (image to the right) and has been located there ever since! The Bloomsburg Public Library has been an amazing and supportive partner, not only housing and promoting the seed library, but allowing us to hold in person educational events through the years. They continue to help us move forward and we are honored to be housed in such a community driven compassionate organization.

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April 2023

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  On April 10th, 2023, the seed library began providing a small version of the seed library for each of 5 senior centers in the area thanks to a partnership with Columbia Montour Aging Office, Inc., fulfilling a long time goal of the seed library President.

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March 2024

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  On March 12th, 2024, the President of the seed library, Dave Maxwell released the first episode of The Bloom Seed Library Podcast. The podcast was created to provide education and and information to the patrons of the seed library and those that love gardening around the world.

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May 2024

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    In April of 2024, the Greenwood Friends School in Millville PA, donated a card catalogue to the Bloomsburg Public Library for the seed library to use. This has allowed us to operate better visually as well as organizationally. The Bloomsburg Public Library, under the new director Ammon Francis Young, has invested even more time and energy in to helping the seed library service the community and we are so grateful for them! On May 11th, 2024, the updated seed library was launched with the new card catalogue, better donation and form boxes, as well as a better user experience.

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August 2025

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On August 26, 2025, Bloom Seed Library was incorporated and granted a nonprofit status in Pennsylvania. The board was formed, and 501c3 filing was prepared. 

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We will provide updated history as it happens!