Seed Banking

Seed banking initiatives began in Fall 2022. Over the course of the past 4 years, the seed bank has grown significantly and now houses over 160 native Kansas species and 160 varieties of corn, beans, squash, greens, geophytes, herbs, and more. 

Recently, our seed bank has experienced a major overhaul and is now housed in Tam-I-Nend Hall for climate control. We have also implemented a new banking system to account for expansion, ease-of-access, and longevity.

Native Plant Species

All species housed within this portion of the seed bank are native to present-day Kansas. Seeds are collected on campus, donated, or bought from local seed businesses when large volumes are needed. Most all species come from Northeastern Kansas ecosystems including grasses, graminoids, wildflowers, trees, shrubs, and woody vines. At the end of the growing season, the Haskell Greenhouse partakes in various seed collection efforts and is always adding new species to be dispersed on the land, shared, or grown into plant plugs for restoration needs. All seeds in our seed bank eventually return to soils in which they belong, including the woodlands, wetlands, prairies, and native garden spaces on campus.

Crop Varieties

Many of the crop seeds are Indigenous heirloom varieties--they represent the landscapes in which their genetics were curated by their Indigenous caregivers. We have been able to share and reclaim some of the species' stories of who they are and how they've come to find a home at Haskell Indian Nations University. USDA Equity Student Researchers grow, care for, and harvest plant parts, food, and seeds to practice and provide cultural teachings and bolster our seed bank for generations to come. The Haskell Greenhouse always invites Haskell students and the Indigenous community to connect with us regarding our seeds so we may assist with (re)kindling relationships to varieties Indigenous Peoples have held relationships with since time immemorial.