County seed program restocking, creating waiting list

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After receiving more than 1,400 requests. Richland County’s Seed Sanctuary program is restocking its supply and adding new requests to a waiting list.

The program, administered through the county’s Soil and Water Conservation District and funded by an award from the Friends of National Association of Conservation Districts grant program, provides a selection of spring vegetable, herb and wildflower seeds. The seeds, which include tomato, okra, summer squash, basil, sunflower and black-eyed Susan, are mailed at no cost.

The Seed Sanctuary initiative was set to hold a public launch at the county administration building this spring, but building access remains restricted because of COVID-19 health concerns.

Residents will receive a random selection of six free seed packets after completing a request form. Program participants will be limited to one request per household.

Seed Sanctuary aims to promote home gardening, pollinator conservation, and environmental awareness, according to the county’s website. Residents are encouraged to take pictures of themselves and their families planting the seeds and share them on social media using the hashtag #ReseedRichland or #RCSeedSanctuary.

For more information, call 803-576-2084 or email RichlandSWCD@gmail.com.

Earlier this year, the NACD grant program presented four grants of up to $2,500 to conservation districts throughout the country after an application process which ended in January.