The Dakota County Seed Library is a partnership between the Dakota County Library, Dakota County Library Foundation, Dakota County Parks and the University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardeners. It is located at the Farmington Library.
Beginning in 2026, Kaposia Library will also host a Seed Library.
The goals of the library are to:
- Remove barriers for families interested in growing healthy food. The Seed Library is a free resource.
- Offer native plants to encourage sustainable landscaping practices.
- Preserve the variety of local heirloom plants available with the opportunity to share these rare seeds .
- Offer classes taught by Master Gardeners and other volunteers to educate the community. Class topics include how to grow healthy food, save seeds, preserve food, etc.
- Encourage community by asking Seed Library users to save seeds and return them for future growing seasons
Borrow
View a list of seeds you can find at the library, available while supplies last.
Seeds harvested from native plants in our county parklands are available beginning Jan. 1, These seeds will need to be cold stratified between 4-12 weeks before planting.
The remainder of the seed inventory will be available beginning the first weekend in March.
Checkout process
- Select your seeds.
- You may choose up to five packets per person. This helps us spread this resource throughout the community.
- Any Dakota County resident may use the Seed Library – no library card required.
Grow
Each seed packet includes directions for planting and growing that are seed specific.
Connect with a University of Minnesota Extension Master Gardener if you have questions or challenges with planting your seeds.
Share
- If you have extra seeds, share them with friends and neighbors.
- You can share seeds with the community by bringing the seed packet back to the library. Place it into the “share" drawer. Label your seed packet with as much identifying information as possible.
Volunteer
The Master Gardeners coordinate the Seed Library. They involve other community volunteers to help with the packaging and labeling of donated seeds. Master Gardeners also offer regular informational programming at the library on topics related to gardening and seed saving. Visit the Dakota County Volunteer website to apply.