COMING SOON

Written by Melissa H Potter with illustrations by Victoria Mak

Welcome to the first almanac of the Feminist Seed Bank, rooted in the prairies, swamps, and wetlands of the Midwest. Less than one percent of the Midwestern prairie biome remains today. This almanac is born out of a passion for native plants—celebrating their resilience and cultural histories, which have been erased during the biological loss of the last century.

Many people, especially those in cities, may not have the time or space to grow their own plants. Yet there are many other ways to nurture both cultural and ecological health—through art, research, storytelling, and attentive viewing.

Here, we invite you to encounter these plants through an alternative lens: one that engages forgotten feminist histories, folklore and mythology, and moments of reflection on the subtle power and enduring importance of plants.

Feminist Seed Bank is a “bank of knowledge”– not unlike a literal seed bank – that locates, interprets, preserves and celebrates plants and the practices germinating from them performed by women. Historically women have created and passed down these traditions central to their cultural identity and sovereignty. This work is now at risk of being lost due to the climate crises, as well as to industrialization, war and gender bias. Through gardens, publications, exhibitions, conversations, an open-source archive and DIY kits, the Feminist Seed Bank amplifies and monumentalizes this information before it is too late.