Seed Library Grants

NS/S supports seed libraries in educating and providing communities with free access to seeds and healthy foods. Each year we select one seed variety from our collection that we have in abundance and can send in larger quantities. 

Region Requirement
Our region of focus is the Southwest United States and Northwest Mexico, which generally includes: Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah, southern Colorado, west Oklahoma, west Texas, southern California, southern Nevada, and northwest Mexico. See our region map here. However, if your seed library serves a Native community in an arid place outside of our region, we encourage you to apply for consideration.

2026 Seed Selection for Libraries

For 2026, our seed library selection is Bisbee Black cowpea, Vigna unguiculata.  This productive cowpea tastes like a black-eyed pea but is solid black in color.  This variety came to NS/S in 1985 from an NS/S member in Missouri who had received them from a local trucker who got the seeds in Bisbee AZ. The truck driver said they were given to him by a Native American in the area.  Cowpeas are deep rooted legumes that help to improve soil, and are also very drought tolerant.  Though most commonly used as a dry bean in the US, young cowpea greens are also edible, as are the young green pods which can be prepared like green beans.  This donation will provide 200 grams of this seed, which is the equivalent of 40 packets of 25 seeds each … even more if you create smaller packets for your library.  

How to Apply
Seed libraries in our region can apply through the link below. Under the seed request list question on the application form, please write “Seed Library.” We will send Bisbee Black Cowpea seeds to qualifying libraries.

Apply online here>>>

Download PDF, print and mail in here>>

Download Spanish version PDF, print and mail in here>>

For seed libraries with community gardens
If your seed library has a community garden on site, would benefit from receiving a variety of seeds, and would be able to send a report at the end of the growing season, you’re welcome to additionally send a request list of up to 30 seed packets as instructed in the application form. Please describe your community garden in the application.

Questions? Email getseeds@nativeseeds.org, or call (520) 622-0830.