The Brown County Seed Library is a curated collection of seeds – primarily edible plants – that are suited for success in our Northeastern Wisconsin growing region. These seeds are available free of charge to anyone interested in planting vegetables, fruits and pollinator-friendly plants. We welcome you to check out our selection anytime the Central Library is open.

Please sign up for our email list to receive Seed Library news and announcements.

Through local partnerships, the Brown County Seed Library provides education, encouragement, resources, and seeds to all community members to protect the current and future food supply. The Seed Library fosters self-reliance and empowers individuals to grow nutritious food and complementary plants that support pollinators

Planning and fundraising for this volunteer-based community project is underway through the leadership of these partner organizations:

• Brown County Community Gardens Program
• Brown County Library
• Green Bay Botanical Garden
• New Leaf Foods, Inc.*
• Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners
• University of Wisconsin – Green Bay
• UW Extension Brown County

All partner organizations collectively support this initiative by providing planning experience, volunteer coordination, seed and gardening expertise, in-kind contributions, fundraising support, educational programs and communication to keep the public informed.

New Leaf Foods, a local tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, is the fiscal agent for the Brown County Seed Library.

Brown County Library – Gardening and Food Events

Green Bay Botanical Garden – Events Calendar  

New Leaf Foods – BCSL and Other Local Gardening Related Events  

Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners – Seed Steward Training, Events and BCSL Newsletters

UW-Green Bay Lifelong Learning Institute (search calendar for keyword “garden”) 

UW-Madison Extension Calendar of Events 

What is a Brown County Seed Steward? A Seed Steward is a person who has received training on seed saving and is saving seeds to replenish our Brown County Seed Library. Ideally, we would like to have all of our core seeds (seeds we want to carry annually) saved by local Brown County Seed Stewards. Seed Stewards may choose to save as many or as few types of plants as they want, and as many seeds from those plants as they want. Seeds grown locally are better adapted to our climate and do not need to be transported long distances, which gives us more control over our seed supply and food supply.

Free training is provided by the Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners (NEWMG). If you are interested in learning more about seed saving or becoming a Seed Steward, please go to the NEWMGA website. We are excited to share knowledge on seed saving and building a community of people with these skills.

Seed Library 2025 Core Seed List

Brown County Seed Library Newsletter – Click here to subscribe!

Extension Brown County – Growing Guides (Facts and Growing Recommendations for Each Type of Plant in the BCSL)

Seed Saving Guide recommended by Northeastern Wisconsin Master Gardeners Association

Guía para producir y guardar semillas

Brown County Library Gardening & Seed Resources 

Thank you to our generous donors:

Businesses/organizations that donated seeds
Appleton Seed Library
Door County Seed Library 
High Mowing Organic Seeds 
MIGardener 
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply 
Seed Savers Exchange 
Ukwakhwa: Tsinu Niyukwayay^thoslu (Featured local seed: Haudenosaunee Three Sisters seed packs) 

updated 1/24/2025

There are many ways to support the BCSL:

Become a Seed Steward and support the library by growing and donating seeds to be redistributed. Visit the Master Gardeners website to learn more.

Volunteer to sort and pack seeds! Opportunities will be posted on the New Leaf Foods Calendar of Events, included in our newsletters and posted with the Volunteer Center of Brown County.

Make a monetary donation through our Fiscal Agent, New Leaf Foods, Inc.

Visit our Amazon Wish List, which has essential packing supplies.