Our story
The MN SEED Project was co-created by Courtney Tchida, Dawn Lamm and Stephanie Hankerson in 2020 to address the knowledge gaps in saving and growing seeds. Our Project started as a program at the Minnesota State Horticultural Society, where Courtney was working at the time.
That first year we hosted several webinars on seed saving and in the fall we were invited to do a seed collection event at 21 Roots Farm’s 3 acre restored prairie. That event along with a nudge from Capitol Region Watershed District to apply for a partnership grant put us on the path we walk today. Since 2021 our focus has been on creating a free, locally adapted, native seed economy by hosting events teaching people how to collect, clean, share and grow native seeds.
In 2022, Capitol Region Watershed District awarded the MN SEED Project their Watershed Outreach Program of the year award.
We are currently in the process of becoming our own entity outside of MSHS. We’d love to to join us at an event and learn more.