)
"We have learned so much over the workshops with Anna. The workshops have been very educational but easily understandable. The leaflets were very clear and helpful and the choice in seeds was wonderful.”- Learner
This project improved practical literacy through the planting, harvesting, and re-distribution of organic seeds. A series of workshops aimed to help participants build their planting, growing, and harvesting skills.
The project took place in the Aidan Heavey Library. Longford and Westmeath ETB refurbished an old library card shelving unit to create unique and eye-catching seed library storage.
Facilitators set up an account with the Irish Seed Savers company, who cultivate heirloom seeds. They then picked and ordered the seeds with guidance from a horticulturist. The Ukrainian Women of The Friary Gardening Group spread awareness about the project and distributed the seeds upon delivery.
Workshops ran from August through to October 2024. Tutors encouraged participants to gain growing and harvesting skills that also address unmet literacy, numerical, and digital literacy needs.
The library hosted over 123 participants in adult and school workshops. Over 800 envelopes of seeds have been borrowed by members of the public. With a limit of 3 seed packets per person, this means at least 266 people took part in the seed library exchange.
Participants learnt about the importance of biodiversity, sustainability, and food production in local communities.
)
Learners packing and distributing seeds.
This project was a collaboration between Westmeath Libraries and Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board.
For more information about the project, please contact Anne-Maria Egan, Regional Literacy Coordinator in Longford and Westmeath ETB, at aegan@lwetb.ie
The Adult Literacy for Life Collaboration and Innovation Fund
The Collaboration and Innovation Fund supports projects for adults with unmet literacy, numeracy and digital literacy needs and projects that support organisations to be literacy friendly. The closing date for 2024 applications has now passed but keep an eye out for information on our 2025 fund which will be launched in December.
)
)