Hot Topics     Home and Family     Family Fun    

A time to sow



Hudson Valley Seed Company is ready for spring

Hudson Valley Seed Company is ready for spring planting


While the pandemic has upset many aspects of Hudson Valley life, it has not affected our rich soil. Last spring, when lockdown first commenced, many families – including mine – either began gardens, or invested more deeply in the process of planting, tending, and sowing. Being suddenly unable to travel made us like the farming communities of old, hardscrabble country folk who spent much more time at home, making use of nature’s gifts. 

As 2020 played out, multiple scientific studies asserted what people of the soil have always known: getting outside, and getting your hands dirty in a garden, is excellent medicine for both body and mind.

These revelations were not news to Accord-based Hudson Valley Seed Company. For years, they’ve been there to help folks both local and otherwise get to know the land and the flora. They’ve long known seeds can ultimately tell a positive, nurturing story amid a swirl of bad news. And their seeds are not just any seeds. 

According to their website, “Every seed in our catalog is open pollinated, many are heirloom and organic, and they are never GMO. We were one of the first companies to sign the Open Source Seed Initiative and we will remain committed to our values of sustainability to the last.”

Undeterred by continued upheaval of 2020, the Hudson Valley Seed Company is readying for spring 2021, continuing a community-based mission of “growing organically, sourcing locally and sustainably, and preserving crop diversity by selecting unique, rare, and hard-to-find varieties.”

READ MORE: Planting seeds: mindfulness for kids

Hudson Valley Seed Company’s story began humbly in 2004, when co-founder Ken Greene was working as a librarian at the Gardiner Public Library. Interested in the local food movement, he realized most folks know little of the seeds that grow their food, so he started the country's first seed library program.

The connection between seeds and storytelling soon became apparent. HVSC likens a seed to “a time capsule telling tales of the plants, crops, and people that came before us.”

Greene realized that “working with seeds was a way to work with issues concerning the environment, health, history, culture, and more.” He realized he could help people of all ages understand how they are like seeds – connected to all that came before, and potentially impactful on the as-yet-unseen future.

Ken and partner Doug Muller’s seed collection was initially contained in an oak dresser. Over the years, they’ve morphed from a seed library to a proper seed company, expanding to a five-acre organic farm and a two-story house. In 2009, they hired 14 artists to design their seed packs. This became Art Packs, a continuing tradition. Art Packs offer gardeners beautiful packaging while also supporting artists.

As the mainstream slowly but steadily embraces the values of biodiversity, local food production, and sustainability, Hudson Valley Seed Company offers a chance for locals to see what it all looks like up close and personal, and to dig in.



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Get Hooked on Fishing, Not Drugs

    Third Annual Orange County District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby

    The Third District Attorney’s Office Youth Fishing Derby will run from April 1 through Sept. 4, 2023. The event is open to young people between the ages of 4 and 18 who are children or grandchildren of Orange County residents. read more »
  • Kids aren't eating fruits and veggies

    Happiest Baby's Dr. Harvey Karp has tips to change that

    A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 32% of 1- to 5-year-olds did not eat a single piece of fruit a day and nearly one half (~49%) didn't eat any vegetables a day. Roughly 51% drank a sugar-sweetened beverage, like fruit drinks or soda, at least once a week. read more »
  • 5 sleep habits essential for heart health

    Make sure you get your zzz's with these tips

    In the days following a time change due to daylight saving time, research shows a marked increase in heart attacks and strokes. However, losing sleep anytime can be a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. read more »
  • Take these 6 steps to manage your blood pressure

    Hypertension can be dangerous

    High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). read more »
  • Make your St. Patrick's Day spread green with envy

    These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or an appetizer

    Freshen up your St. Patrick’s Day menu with easy, light sandwiches inspired by the traditional color of the festivities. These open-faced noshes can be perfect for lunch, snack time or even as an appetizer for get-togethers with friends and family. read more »
  • Lucky mint brownie perfection

    A twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate

    How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year. read more »
  • 3 ways parents can encourage social emotional learning in children

    Parents focus on social emotional skills, mental health, kindness and understanding differences

    Most parents would agree the quality of their children’s education plays a key role in their overall development. While parents are optimistic about the future of education, they also recognize children have educational needs beyond what is considered the standard. read more »
  • Selecting a health care provider

    Resources to guide your selection

    Getting health care for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility, especially if you’re just getting started with Medicare or have changes in your life, such as a new diagnosis of a condition or disease. It can be overwhelming if you need services like nursing home care, have to find a new doctor or get home health care. read more »
  • 5 simple solutions for proper nasal hygiene

    Keep your nasal passages clean, clear and moisturized

    Your nose is essential for conditioning the air you breathe and serves as the first line of defense against dust, pollution, bacteria, viruses and more. The presence of these substances in your nasal passages can trigger infections, disease and illness. read more »
  • Have a bump on your foot?

    Don’t ignore it

    Have a lump or bump on your foot? Whether it’s painful or not, it could potentially signal a serious condition. Foot and ankle surgeons warn it’s important to have it checked out, no matter its size or location on your foot. read more »