Omaha lawmaker wants to rid seed libraries of outlaw status (NRaleighLiberal will love this)

[Omaha Steve]

NRaleighLiberal's tomatoe book: http://www.epictomatoes.com/




THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
In this Dec. 18 photo, Betsy Goodman looks over seed packets at the Benson Public Library in Omaha. Goodman established a seed library at the branch in 2012, and patrons checked out nearly 5,000 packets in 2014.

http://www.omaha.com/news/legislature/omaha-lawmaker-wants-to-rid-seed-libraries-of-outlaw-status/article_d3f5f42b-c1ea-5fe6-909d-8c5cbdfeab82.html

POSTED: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2015 1:00 AM
By Chris Peters / World-Herald staff writer

Nebraska seed libraries find themselves in a bit of a predicament. They’re technically illegal.

So far, nobody has beaten down the door at the three Omaha Public Library branches that have seed-sharing programs.

But according to statute, the programs violate the law by not meeting vigorous testing and packaging requirements intended for the sale of seeds.

A bill proposed by State Sen. Burke Harr of Omaha aims to change that. Legislative Bill 544, to be heard in the Legislature today is aimed at repealing what Harr calls “out of date legislation” and replacing it with new language that encourages community gardens and seed sharing.

FULL story at link.