This digital archive, which features cultural knowledge, art, and stories about our relationship with food,
is made possible by the generous financial support of the California Humanities and Cal Poly Pomona. Special thanks to our Seed Exchange managers, Francisco Benavides, Julieta Muñoz, and Hevelynn Nealy. For the last three years, they have engaged with the community in reciprocal exchanges of knowledge sharing, learning, and generosity.

If you live in the Pomona Valley, CA and have stories about seeds or growing food you would like to share here, please email us at tllorobidart@cpp.edu

Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Patience in the Garden

The grower has been patiently waiting for these tomatillos to ripen. It has taken almost 4 months for a single tomatillo to have grown…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Celery - It’s Kind of Magic!

Although not organic, these celery bottoms have been given a second opportunity to grow. Many root vegetables, especially those…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Holding on For Life

As a member of the cucurbit family, butternut squash plants often vine themselves on anything their tendrils can grab on to. As seen in these…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

The Sweet Taste of Basil

For a second time, Francisco has been able to donate seeds to us. Here he shares some strawberry seeds that had harvested from plants

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Beautiful Lakota Squash!

Here a pair of Lakota squash persist through the summer. These were the only fruit to have actually grown, as all other smaller squash aborted…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Generations of Pumpkins

A family member was able to share some seeds from pumpkins that our family have been growing for generations. Having brought the seeds from Mexico…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Sharing the Health!

Although we were unable to get this donor's name, both she and her son have contributed vastly to their school garden. She was able to show us photos…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Organic Donations!

Francisco was gracious enough to donate many seeds that he had been collecting from the past 2 years. He adds that he always…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Seed Starters are Easy!

Here is a short video from Yvette explaining how toilet paper rolls make perfect biodegradable seed starters.

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Cooking with What You Grow

Lucy was kind enough to share how some of her leafy vegetables had grown for her. They include bok choy and kale…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Tobacco Seeds

Amanda was able to bring seeds from her tobacco plants. She describes them as very easy to care for and having a rather fast growth rate…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Peas for You!

These sweet peas are from a local school community garden. Whether they’re still in the…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Sweet Donations

Contributions such as these sweet peas from Julieta of Growing Roots are greatly appreciated. When different growers contribute small donations such…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Ornamental Seeds are Great, Too!

Besides vegetables, the Seed Exchange accepts all different kinds of seeds. Here someone brought a baggy full of ornamental seeds that are perfect…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Who Wants Tomatoes!?

Susie was able to bring many tomato plants that had sprung up from her garden. These volunteers were graciously offered to visitors at the Seed Exchange…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Growing Kohlrabi: A Hidden Gem!

Kam, a frequent visitor to the market, brought three of her kohlrabi plants. She wanted to show how nice they had grown for her…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Battle with the Birds

Mario here brought us a great surprise--a very large quantity of arugula seeds. He tells us about how he often has to battle with…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Sharing is Caring!

Jason was kind enough to bring back seedlings so that we could distribute them to other visitors. Besides seeds, we also accept plants so that we can give everyone the opportunity…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

Growing Your Own Culantro

At the Seed Exchange, we happily take in special seed requests. In this case, a visitor was especially interested in growing their very own Culantro…

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Patrick McPheron Patrick McPheron

The Mystery Seeds

Marilyn enjoys sharing seeds from many of the plants she has collected over the years. Her sister works for the Ohio Forest Service, which has helped give Marilyn…

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