HOUGHTON — The Third Annual Seed Swap is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Portage Lake District Library, on Huron Street, in Houghton. The Western U.P. Food Systems Collaborative is sponsoring the event.

Rachael Pressley, senior regional planner with the with the Western U.P. Planning and Development Region said that in addition to the seed swap, there will be other activities. Four 15-minute talks are planned for the event.

“Elana Busova, who is the manager of the Pewabic Street Community Garden (in Houghton), will talk about seed starting with a soil blocker,” Pressley said.

At 11 a.m., there will be a discussion on backyard composting.

“There will be much larger event on May 9 about composting,” Pressley said, “so, this is going to be a little teaser for that.”

At 11:45, Gina Kerr, Master Gardener and owner of Whispering Wild Market Farm, will give a presentation on starting seeds indoors.

Marcia Goodrich, president of Wild Ones, will give a talk on winter sowing at 12:30.

“In between all these speakers, the swap will be going on,” said Pressley.

Pressley described the seed swap as an opportunity for people to meet fellow gardeners, and people can also bring any leftover seeds they may have to donate, or exchange for other types of seeds.

“You can pick up as many seeds as you want,” she said. “We just try to articulate that seeds are gifts that people can recognize that with each seed is a responsibility.”

Pressley said there will be envelopes, spoons and other helpful things available for people to donat and take seeds.

“We get lots of locally saved seeds at these swaps,” she said, even in glass jars.

The seed swap is free and open to the public.