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WINCHESTER, Ky. (AP) — The Clark County Public Library is getting ready to offer something new for patrons to check out: seeds.
The Winchester Sun (http://bit.ly/1EM9QeK) reports the seed library for those interested in gardening will open on Saturday.
Anyone with a valid and unblock library card can sign up. A seed library card allows participants to receive for free up to 24 packets of fresh heirloom vegetable and herb seeds.
Library Director Julie Maruskin said it's an opportunity for people to check out seeds in a similar way to checking out books — with one notable difference. Maruskin says, "we don't actually expect them to return the seed."
Purchased in partnership with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, there are a variety of seeds available including tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, melons and peppers. Depending on the species, each packet has somewhere between 15 and 100 seeds.
Maruskin said local gardens have the potential to help the economy by putting money back into the community.
"We figured out based on participation in other programs, if everyone took home seeds and grew out three tomato plants, then sold those at fair-market value, this program could put back more than $500,000 into the people's pockets each year," she said.
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Information from: The Winchester (Ky.) Sun, http://www.centralkynews.com/winchestersun
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