Name: 2026 Seed Swap and Giveaway
Start: 2026-01-31T12:00:00-06:00
Location: Des Moines Central Campus and other sites

We think SEEDS are miraculous - so come celebrate National Seed Swap Day 1/31/2026 with us at libraries across the state!
** It's our 11th annual Seed Swap and Giveaway! **
We'll be swapping and sharing many thousands of seed packets at the Des Moines Central Library downtown, as well as the Forest Ave Branch, Ankeny, West Des Moines and Indianola libraries. Not to mention the fifty other libraries* all across the state: Ackley, Albion, Ames, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Boone, Burlington, Cambridge, Carroll, Cedar Falls, Central City, Clarinda, Clinton, Colfax, Council Bluffs, Delhi, Dubuque, Edgewood. Glidden, Gowrie, Greenfield, Griswold, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Iowa Falls, Jesup, Keokuk, Keosauqua, Lamoni, Lenox, Manning, Maquoketa, Marshalltown, Nevada, Orange City, Osceola, Ottumwa, Pella, Readlyn, Sioux Center, Sioux City, State Center, Storm Lake, Story City, Stuart, Swisher, Victor, Wapello, Waverly, Webster City, and Winterset. Whew, that's quite a list! * Be sure to check with your desired swap site for event hours, which may be different.
An awesome collection of seed varieties - heirloom vegetables and herbs, flowers, and native prairie species. Small space selections. Easy-to-grow varieties. Perennial and pollinator-friendly selections.
Every attendee can choose up to 5 free packets of seed (children 12 and under can pick 2 free packets of their very own). Bring a gardening buddy or the whole family.
The Des Moines area swap sites are participating in a pantry drive. Bring up to 5 non-perishables food items for up to 5 additional seed packets.
Do you have seed to swap? Swap up to 10 packets of your saved seed 1-for-1. Here’s the guidelines for seed swappers: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZwwYWY_8qRKdyPkSm8F1dTjm_-sbtQB4AZADJUkNZv8/edit?usp=sharing
Want to Volunteer on event day? Being part of the volunteer team at 9SF events is always fun and rewarding. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4AA5AB2DA1F9C25-61672408-2026
We're sure you'll find inspiration and something special that you just have to squeeze into your garden plans. Don’t miss the event to kick off your dream garden - our 11th annual Seed Swap and Giveaway!