Seeds of Knowledge

Library Demonstration Garden Grant Program

The Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant brings public awareness to support a growing interest in native plants. As community hubs and centers of learning and activity, libraries attract and serve a diverse population of varying races, ages, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds, many of whom may not be aware of the importance, function and beauty of native plants. As such, libraries present a unique opportunity to showcase native plants and the pollinators they attract to a large and potentially unfamiliar audience by way of small native plant demonstration landscapes.

The grant’s objective is to familiarize people with a wide array of native plants, demonstrate their landscaping potential, and highlight their crucial role in supporting local wildlife. This is achieved through demonstrative gardens featuring educational elements, alongside a seed library that distributes Florida native seeds suited to the region.

Want to know more about the Seeds of Knowledge grant program?
Interested in applying?
Review the criteria below for answers to all of your questions.

Criteria

The purpose of this grant is to establish or enhance a native demonstration planting at a public library.
Eligibility is limited to Florida-based public libraries.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to plant and care for Florida native wildflowers and plants.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to provide educational programming relevant to the planting and its purpose.
Projects should aim to increase the awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers, grasses, and flowering shrubs and vines among visitors by demonstrating the benefits and beauty of Florida native plants in cultivated landscapes.
Projects must be exclusively and distinctly native.
We encourage libraries to partner with a community volunteer or organization (e.g., master gardeners, Florida Native Plant Society members, garden club members, etc.) who will commit to regularly work in the garden and ensure survival.

Projects must be in a publicly accessible area within the library campus.
The planting site must be properly prepared prior to installing plants. For assistance with site preparation, please email Marina Mertz, program coordinator.
Plants and seeds must be native to Florida, in accordance with FWF’s definition of cultivars, appropriate for the region and site conditions of the planting, and purchased from the Florida Wildflower Growers Cooperative, Florida Association of Native Nurseries members and other retail outlets specializing in native plants.
The planting must remain in place and be maintained for a minimum of one year from the installation date.

Projects must have strong educational components, including but not limited to:
- interpretive signage explaining the purpose/benefits of the planting (provided by the Foundation; signage will include a QR code to a web page for the garden hosted on the Foundation’s website).
- native plant (or related topic) programming. The Foundation can typically provide programming support. Other organizations that may offer relevant programming include local Florida Native Plant Society chapters, UF IFAS Extension offices, and Garden Clubs.
- plant identification signs or lists.
- informational handouts or brochures. (The Foundation can provide unless library chooses to create its own.)
Grantees must pursue at least one media outlet (within 60 days of garden installation) in which an article or video that describes the native wildflower planting will appear.
Grantees must establish and maintain a seed library on site with Florida native ecotype seeds and make them available for distribution to the public. Seeds will be provided by the Foundation and will be appropriate for the region. Additional yearly support for the seed library may be applied for.

Up to $750 per project may be awarded.
Grant funds will be distributed based on the project timeline, in one payment upon receipt of project invoice and receipt(s) for plant purchases from native plant nursery/nurseries.
A minimum of 80% of the grant funds must be used to purchase native wildflowers, grasses and/or flowering shrubs and vines (may be plants or seeds or a combination).
Funds may not be used for herbicides, fertilizer or other chemicals, or for mulch other than pine straw.

Two progress reports will be submitted on dates to be determined by the Foundation based on the project timeline. Reporting format will be provided in advance of the due date by the Foundation’s grant manager.
Reports will include:
- a narrative describing the project and its results.
- itemized expense report, design plan, plant list, construction methods and maintenance schedule plan for the next year.
- visitation and volunteer hour numbers.
- photos of the planting site before and after installation, as well as during periods of peak bloom.
- photos of staff and/or volunteers participating in installation and site maintenance.
- photos of people visiting the planting and participating in related programming.
- information about visitor impressions and the impact of the gardens and educational programming.