CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Jenn Slone, Access Director at Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library (CRCPL), is sowing more than seeds in Ross County. Her passion for gardening has blossomed into a community-wide initiative, sharing knowledge, seeds, and sustainable practices through the library’s seed library and collaborative projects with the Ross County Health District (RCHD).
Slone, a lifelong gardener, launched the CRCPL seed library, allowing patrons to take up to five seed packets per visit to grow their own plants at home. The program, born from Slone’s personal surplus of 500 seed packets, aims to make gardening accessible and foster self-sufficiency. “I want people to feel empowered to grow their own food,” Slone said in an interview. “It’s about community care and breaking reliance on industrial food systems.”
Partnering with RCHD’s Creating Healthy Communities Coordinator Jordan George, Slone has spearheaded projects like the Bainbridge community garden at Paint Valley Ministries and a “Garden Smarter Not Harder” class at Paxton Library in May 2025. These efforts promote innovative, low-cost gardening techniques, such as no-dig gardening, which uses cardboard and compost to suppress weeds and enrich soil without tilling.
Slone’s methods, inspired by online resources like Roots and Refuge Farm and British gardener Charles Dowding, prioritize simplicity and sustainability. “No-dig gardening is lazy and efficient,” she said. “Anyone can do it without fancy equipment.” She also champions winter sowing, using milk jugs to start seeds outdoors in January, and seed saving, which she learned through nationwide seed swaps on Instagram.
Her gardening journey began in childhood, planting alongside her father and later experimenting in a small apartment balcony garden. After purchasing a three-acre property in 2016, Slone transformed a half-acre into a thriving garden, testing unique plants to share with others. “My garden is a testing ground for what I can share,” she said.
Beyond aesthetics, Slone sees gardening as a health and mental wellness tool. “Fresh produce is healthier, tastier, and better for the environment,” she said, noting that gardening also alleviates her seasonal affective disorder. “There’s something meditative about putting your hands in the soil.”
Slone’s work addresses deeper community needs, including food insecurity, which she experienced as a child. “I went hungry sometimes growing up,” she said. “Teaching people to grow food is one way to ensure they have enough.” She encourages residents to tap into CRCPL’s resources, including tutorials at crcpl.org/seeds, and invites them to harvest from the library’s garden, asking only that they weigh produce for tracking.
For those hesitant to start, Slone’s advice is simple: “Just plant a seed. Don’t aim for perfect—try something.” She’s eager to help, offering to design gardens, provide seeds, or plant alongside community members. Upcoming library gardening programs, listed on the CRCPL calendar, aim to further engage residents.
Slone’s efforts are bridging gaps in Ross County, connecting gardeners, farmers, and food pantries to distribute excess produce. “It’s about control over our community’s future,” she said. “Sharing skills brings joy and builds resilience.”
For more information, visit crcpl.org or contact the Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library.