Seed Keepers

[tonitime@juno.com]

Thanks for the vote of confidence in this list, Woody.

As to R/R Exchanges, there are several ways i have seen them done. 
Common to all those i have participated in, is ONE GREAT PAL chooses to
head the exchange.  The perameters of the exchange are made know to all,
ahead of time, so a person can see if the exchange fits them or if they
have the right kind of seed to give for the exchange.  After the  type of
exchange is put forth, along with the rules of the exchange, people say
if they want to participate and their email addresses are given to the
admistrator of the exchange.  Dates/deadlines for sending your required
number of seed packets to that person must be adhered to, or the whole
thing becomes unfair and drags onward. So - one way is that each member
sends 4 varities of seed in - say one packet of each for each person in
the exchange.  Along with their padded mailer of seeds for all, they
include postage for the return of their mailer along with a fresh mailing
label of their own.  When all seed are gathered, the head person
disburses to each participant back in the mail at a designated date. 
Everyone confirms receipt and the thrill of it and their heartfelt
thanks!!

Sometimes, many seed are sent in, and people get to choose their 1st,
2nd, and 3rd preferences for what they want.  This is done in order of
who got there first with their goodies. Then, another round of choosing
takes place - again in order of who sent in see first - and so on.

Another way is to  send all seed into R/R Keeper's care. That person puts
them all in a box, spends the money to send the box onward - in order of
who sent seed in first and so on-.  The 2nd person takes what they want
and puts more seed back into the box and send on  to the 3rd person, and
so on.  Sometimes the boxes get too full and do get heavier and cost more
to send.......but lots of goodies.  The box can actually make a few
rounds to each person, as the varieties keep chaning or getting added to
along the way.  Unfortunately - rarely- someone may not send the box
onward, or keep it too long, or say it was lost in the mail.  This
happens, but not too often.  There MUST be a time limit on how long you
can keep the box until it goes on to the next participant.  At the end,
there is often alot of extra seed that we have donated to a worthy cause,
org, or a family in need somewhere.

These exchanges can have a theme or not .......say, a Squash RR, or
Beans/Legumes RR, or flowers and herbs, etc.  I personally like them to
be anything at all :)

There are other ways to do thes round robins - and i have enjoyed them
all over the years.  We all benefit, and i sure thank those that will
take such a task on for all..........but i don't want to be that person-
and choose to do my giving other ways ;-)
If anyone wants to "play" at this, i am game!!
Toni in E KY
zone 6a

p.s. sometimes there can be plant material exchanges or scion wood, or .