holy shmoly that was fast response :^O
I'll go there and check it out now!
(really not too into working on Monday mornings, can 'ya tell) :x

Geeeze, it's like applying for a job to join that MSN stuff. X-(

I know, but that is what I have to use, for now, anyway. At least loamlump has a gist of who's who and is letting everyone onboard - as best that I can!

You're right, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound criticizing. It is important not to have just anyone around. :8}

Loamy, I think this is a wonderful idea. If there's anything I can do to help, I'd be glad to. Winter and early spring I usually have a lot of time on my hands.

Also wondering if you've given any thought to bulbs, tubers and that sort of thing? Too much maybe? Just a thought.


Message was edited by: topofthehill

I think this is a great idea. I am usually very busy except for the summer months, but would be willing to help out any way I could. I am Canadian so can help out here. Just let me know what I can assist with.

Sounds Like a good plan stan! I would like to do something but I dont know what. I have a small garden and sometimes little time. But I want to do something, this seems like a very exciting idea. :^O

loamy,
NetPassport and msn both are giving me a hard time, per usual, could not get in there today at all. I'll try in the morning.

Hey loamlump if you want a site that you can really jaz up in a unique way try tripod. :x I use tripod for my personal website and its awesome. Without knowing a lick of html, you can create a very unique site. Each banker can have thier "own" site and link them all together, its so easy to keep records on there. They have charts and spreadsheets...everything. Just an idea anyway. You can uplaod and store pictures easily on it too. And its free for all that.


Message was edited by: freehiker0

I can handle pumpkins & squash. What about gourds since they are in the family? I have an empty 2 drawer file cabinet that I can dedicate to this purpose.

topofthehill
Eventually, yes. But storing these would be difficult, at least in long terms.
Also, live plants, tubers, roots and bulbs cannot be sent over the borders, be they national or international, at least not legally.
I can see myself now, in a jail cell somewhere with other hard criminals..
"What are you in for?"
"I murdered my ex-husband. What'd you do?"
"I was caught smuggling cocaine into Florida. You there, with the gardening gloves on, what are you in for?"
"I sent a package of tulip bulbs to WA and got caught. I'm doing 6 months, hard labour."

I've had so many thoughts about the seed bank that I thought I better write them down. I know I have forgotten a number of my ideas/concerns, but here is what I have for now:

1. I am getting every message. These are coming thru on my regular e-mail. I may have
chosen this option--I donÂ’t know, IÂ’m not very computer literate. When this becomes an active entity so many e-mails may become a problem. Am I doing something wrong? Also, there is about 15 lines of gibberish at the start--is this html or what?

2. I think we need to decide if the saver, or the banker, will package up the seeds. If I save
seeds and have 100, should I package them in ten packages of ten seeds each (or
whatever number we decide on) or should I put them all in one envelope and leave
that up to the “banker” which might make it a really big job.

3. Somewhere I saw the suggestion that those participating should replenish or provide
twice the number of seeds they take. That is certainly a great goal, but it may take
awhile to educate many members as to seed saving. Unfortunately not everyone
does it. We certainly canÂ’t depend on LoamlumpÂ’s aunties forever.

4. Money: I think we should start early using self-addressed stamped envelopes only just to keep everything easy. Maybe the banker (who hopefully has a postage scale)
can advise how much postage to put on the envelope for the given requests. If we start using money
right away it may create a nightmare for the volunteer banker. Maybe later people
could “deposit” as small amount of money to cover future postage and a small
percentage over and above the postage (maybe 10-15%) could be added for
incidentials such as envelopes, etc.

5. Direct exchange of seeds. I get the impression people may be posting what they
are looking for or what they have, much like we do now. Can we have a system
whereby people are put together easily? This circumvents the “banker” but may
simplify the work load

Just some odds and ends of ideas....Michelle

1. Yes, the first message is put up by msn.Check your membership - there's an option to receive all messages via e-mail, or a 'end-of-day' compilations, or no messages will come to your mailbox. You just click on how you want to receive the messages.
2. I think the person donating seeds into the Seed Bank should pre-sort them into envelopes, to cut down on the work involved. Then the 'banker' merely has to add that variety and quantity to the records.
3. I want to have explicit instructions for starting, growing, harvesting and saving seeds for each category we create. Of course, nobody is the ultimate seed Lord. Even I get greeted with mold sometimes!
4. Yes, SASEs are the way togo, for now. The trouble I get into is American stamps don't work for me, a Canadian, sending back the seeds to the U.S.
5. I was thinking of having bankers having a bank 'manager', who holds a hard copy of all banker's mailing addresses. When a request comes in to the Seed Bank, the nearest manager finds who has the seed requested, and e-mails the requester with the mailing address of the seed location. The requester then makes up a SASE, and sends it directly to the banker, who fills the order and mails it back.
This way, even people who do not wish to hold seed in the name of the Seed Bank, can be helpful. The only requirement would be to have e-mail capability on their computer.

I had a hard time getting my user name changed, but it finally worked, so I should be "vseaver56" on here, and on the new site!

Seems to be coming along VERY nicely!!!!!

About the postage problem, what if you set up a paypal account? that way everyone who is requesting seeds can deposit the postage cost and the seed sender can withdraw the shipping costs? That way, we don't have to go through all of the hassle of canadian vs. american postage?