MEDIA RELEASE — March 13, 2026 — R0029 

It’s nearly time to get growing with the Brock University Seed Library.

The initiative, which invites community members from Brock and Niagara to “borrow” seeds for planting in their gardens and “return” harvested seeds to share with others, is relaunching with a seed-starting workshop on Thursday, March 19. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon in the Rankin Family Pavilion Atrium and everyone is welcome to attend.

The Seed Library’s online Seed Growing and Saving Guide has been updated to reflect the wide variety of vegetables, flower, herb and grass seeds on offer in 2026, outlining what each plant is, how to grow it and how to harvest the seeds. It also includes a contact form for anyone who needs advice during the growing season. 

Sustainability Co-ordinator Rebecca Anderson (MS ’25) says the initiative reinforces Brock’s goal of using campus as a “living lab” by promoting food security, sustainable habits, biodiversity, native species and environmental stewardship. 

“We want to create a sense of belonging and community and offer equal opportunities for everyone,” she says. “There’s no cost associated with the Seed Library, and you can even use your seeds in the community garden on campus.”  

Originally developed by two graduate students in Brock’s Environmental Sustainability Research Centre (ESRC) in 2022, the Seed Library is a joint venture of the ESRC, Sustainability at Brock, the Brock University Library and Brock Students for Circular Economy. Funding from the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU) Green Levy Fund and the Faculty of Social Sciences Dean’s Student Ambassador Initiative have enabled the initiative to take root again this year. 

Marilyne Carrey, Associate Professor and Acting Graduate Program Director in the ESRC, says engaging with the community to promote sustainability activities and give individuals agency when confronting the urgency of climate change is at the heart of the ESRC’s mission. 

“We want to give everyone, including students, tangible, meaningful ways to contribute to sustainability and feel like they’re part of the solution,” Carrey says. “We might feel like we’re just one person, so how can we possibly tackle all the climate challenges that face us? But we can help maintain biodiverse landscapes and if one person learns about native plants for their backyard instead of invasive species, that’s a great outcome.” 

Sustainability PhD student and ESRC Graduate Student Ambassador Madelaine Legault says by providing organic seeds for species that are native to Ontario, the Seed Library can also build environmental resilience. 

“I have tested seeds from the Seed Library’s previous years’ collections for viability and to make sure they’re still going to grow,” says Legault. “We have also received some donations and ordered new seeds from some different organic suppliers, such as Kayanase Greenhouse in Six Nations, which offers a lovely variety of native Ontario species.” 

Colleen MacKinnon, Acting Head of User Services and Engagement with the Brock University Library, says the Seed Library also creates opportunities to engage students beyond their scholarly goals.

“The Library is a connector and a hub, so collaborating with other units and helping them mobilize their initiatives by providing access and distribution is really important to us,” she says. “Often, students come into the Library stressed about coursework and research, so adding the Seed Library to our other wellness collections allows us to support moments of curiosity, joy and hands-on planting and growing to support a totally different aspect of their lives.” 

Second-year Medical Sciences student and founding member of Brock Students for the Circular Economy Isra Alsahli says students have enthusiastically taken part in seed sorting and packing to prepare for the initiative’s relaunch. 

“With circular economy, the main goal is to have a closed loop of production and consumption, reusing and not generating waste,” says Alsahli. “The Seed Library is a perfect example of this on an individual level because you’re growing your own food and then taking those seeds and giving them back to the community for other people to use.”  

For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

*Sarah Ackles, Communications Specialist, Brock University [email protected] or 289-241-5483

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