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Writers, farmers, activists and foodies across the country are agitating for a White House garden that grows more than roses.
Alice Waters, Ruth Reichl and Danny Meyer sent a letter encouraging Obama to appoint a "kitchen cabinet" to help guide the nation's food culture, starting with the White House kitchen, which they hope will serve organic vegetables grown on-premise. The activists behind The Who Farm—the White House Organic Farm Project—are driving around the country in a double-decker bus of sorts, with a garden on the rooftop, all in the name of showing the president that it can be done. Says founder Daniel Bowman Simon: "If we can show the president that we can grow some good food anywhere and everywhere, against all odds...then it would be more of a no-brainer to say `hey, why not try it out at the White House, too?'"
The Victory Garden is the historical model being cited as proof that the Obamas' lead will be followed. During World War II, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt planted one on the White House lawn; with her help, the program reached a peak of nearly 20 million Victory Gardens across the U.S., producing 40% of all the country's vegetables. The Victory Gardens' total production was in excess of one million tons of vegetables. But she couldn't have done it alone—the WWII-era Victory Gardens had widespread support on national and local levels. Beyond hoping for a Field of Dreams—like following ("If you build it, they will come."), the Obamas and the Department of Agriculture could take a few clues from their predecessors.
Here are a few history lessons, from the annals of The New York Times , which could serve the administration's garden inspiration well:
- Spread the knowledge: In 1943, the American Woman's Voluntary Services issued the "Garden for Victory" handbook on planting, cooking fresh vegetables, and canning. A "Gardening the White House Way" by Obama and his head gardener, perhaps designed by OBEY, would be hip and inspirational.
- Community organizing: In March 1943, the Greater New York Civilian Defense Volunteer Office held a rally at the New York Times Hall, emphasizing the importance of growing victory gardens in the NY metropolitan area. Today, local organic organizations and Slow Food chapters could gather the community for "yes we can!" gardening pep rallies.
- Offer prizes: Sure, gardening at home has obvious economic incentives. But who doesn't love a good ol' patriotic competition? In 1944, a restaurant chain sponsored a Victory Garden recipe contest for Girl Scouts, with a $100 bond as the grand prize.
- Media coverage: Today's media is doing a great job covering the myriad problems with the country's agricultural systems. But how about bringing gardening back in vogue? "Around the Garden" was a regular New York Times column by Dorothy H. Jenkins that began in Mary 1944 and continued through and beyond the war.
So what can you do, now? Add your name to a petition to turn the First Lawn into an organic garden. And start your own at home! Earth Boxes are self-containing garden boxes designed to make growing possible pretty much anywhere. They're low-maintenance water-wise, and have over-abundant yields. Victory Garden, 2009 edition? Yes we can!
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Green Guide: Gardening
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