White House lawn could be turned into a vegetable patch

[T_i_B]

Source: Daily Telegraph

Nearly 85,000 people have signed an online petition calling for part of the White House lawn to be turned into a vegetable patch.

"The idea is for the Obama family to plant an organic vegetable garden on part of the White House lawn, with the cultivated veggies going to the White House kitchen and any overflow going to feed those in need," Roger Doiron, the man behind the petition, said.

If the Obamas were to plant a garden on the White House grounds, it would have the "inspirational potential" to spawn millions of similar gardens, not only in the United States but around the world, Mr Doiron predicted.

The town of Kingston in New York state has been inspired by Mr Doiron's plan to put in a vegetable garden in front of their town hall.

Read more: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/4976453/White-House-lawn-could-be-turned-into-a-vegetable-patch.html

[radfringe]

1. could be turned into a bi-partisan effort with the

NOPers providing all the elephant poop as compost

[FailureToCommunicate]

106. Now THAT's Funny! (Didn't some Republican already suggest some large green vine fruit

be planted there?) Victory Gardens again! Help feed your neighbors! Get them to help weed. Just watch out for the lead content
in the soil...(get it tested)

[DUlover2909]

2. That would be too much like the right thing to do.

:toast:

[itsrobert]

3. I don't think so

The White House doesn't need an organic garden.

[Sivafae]

4. everybody needs a garden that produces food.

Even if it is symbolic.

[itsrobert]

5. Not on the White House lawn

I don't think it would look good and who would maintain the it?

[ashling]

6. The White House has a pretty BIG frickin lawn!

I'm sure there would be a good place for it. Maybe close to the swing set.

As for who would maintain it: I don't live in the area any more, but I would give my eye teeth to volunteer to work in the White House Garden. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[NJCher]

7. you don't know much about gardening, do you?

There have always been beautiful gardens that also raise food. Rainbow Swiss chard, for example, planted in between red and pink impatiens. Mesclun makes a colorful border. Tomato plants grown in attractive redwood cages can also be quite stunning, especially if they are heirlooms with different colors in the fruit, like Black Krim. So it can look not just good, but stunning.

This would be an environmental message worth sending.

The other thing you said that shows me you don't know much about gardening is that you seem ignorant of the fact that lawn is the most energy and labor-intensive crop out there to grow. It takes more pesticides, more fertilizer, and more water than most crops and to top it all off, much energy needs to be expended just to keep it looking good. Why mow a lawn every week when that land could be producing something that doesn't take energy to ship in? Like a nice red, ripe tomato, for example?

As far as bunnies, groundhogs, and the like eating it up, there are organic sprays that make these plants unappetizing to certain wildlife.



Cher

[roguevalley]

67. they could also build elevated boxes and grow flowers in some

of the rows. it would be a total validation of some people's (mine) obsession.

[OneBlueSky]

9. "edible landscaping" can seamlessly integrate fruits and veggies . . .

into the overall landscaping plan for the White House . . . if done correctly, you wouldn't even know that what you're looking at is a vegetable garden . . . all it takes is a little imagination and a lot of work . . .

of course, they'll need someone to tend the gardens . . . I assume there is already a grounds crew at the White House, but why not supplement it with workers who have to do community service as part of their sentences for some wrongdoing? . . . seeing Bush and Cheney in orange coveralls shoveling shit into the White House compost pile would warm my heart . . .

[Abq_Sarah]

97. A local business did that last year

And they didn't care that anyone recognized corn stalks as corn. The only problem they ran into was people raiding their crops. It was supposed to be for the employees but people would literally grab squash or tomatoes and then run to their cars to speed out of the parking lot.

[Lochloosa]

10. "Who would maintain it?" A gardner that needs a job?

:shrug:

[harmonicon]

20. I'm pretty sure that the white house employs gardeners

The rose garden doesn't take care of itself, for instance. As far as how it looks: the white house is a giant tacky piece of shit, so who cares? Besides, food's food - if you don't like how it looks when it's growing, don't eat it. Only eat the pretty food.

[Le Taz Hot]

30. Square Foot Gardening only takes a

4' X 4' parcel to grow 16 different types veggies (if they wanted to lay it out that way). Virtually no weeds because you don't start out with soil (1/3 peat moss, 1/3 compost, 1/3 vermiculite). HIghly recommend the book "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholemew. Here's the website: http://www.squarefootgardening.com/ I've put down three of these and I get all the vegetables I need to feed my family of 3 AND enough to give away to friends/relatives.

[IdaBriggs]

33. Oooh! Another square foot gardening fan!

I *love* square foot gardening -- I was just talking to my brother about helping me put the squares together for the new house! :) LOL! :) Best, Ida

[Le Taz Hot]

38. Oh, I'm obsessed.

For those people with small yards (me!), it's PERFECT! In my area (San Joaquin Valley - CA) we have what is known as a Mediterranean climate so we can grow all year (little to no frost). I'm always checking out the outrageous grocery store prices on veggies and herbs and I just grin . . . And this year for the first time: ASPARAGUS!!!!

[CRK7376]

56. Asparagus is nasty and vile

in my humble opinion, but we're putting in a garden this year. First time in years and my wife thinks I'm crazy, but I don't sthink she'll complain when the tomatos and sweet corn come in....start small and grow big....EIEIO....

[IdaBriggs]

100. Many things are nasty and vile, depending on how they are prepared.

Asparagus (prepared well) is DELICIOUS. I like it in a 'cream of' soup (fabulous!), or roasted -- yummy!

Baked beets -- who knew how GREAT they were? And Baked Sweet Potato, roasted zuchini/yellow squash/eggplant -- my husband is addicted!!!

Liver is still yucky, tho. :)

[Javaman]

43. oh man, read your history. It's only in recent times the WH has been without a garden. nt

[roguevalley]

66. a white house farmer. I am totally for it.

[Zhade]

80. Are you kidding me? "I don't think it would look good" is your excuse for not feeding people?

What the fuck is wrong with you?

[appleannie1]

94. There was one there in the 40's. It inspired millions to do the same.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

103. The white house doesn't need a lawn.

Who would maintain it? Well I'd imagine the WH gardeners would get the bulk of the labor, but I'd find it hard to believe the two kids wouldn't get some educational experience out of it.

[Island Blue]

111. THere is a long history of gardening on the White House lawn.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/23/growing-food-on-the-white-house-lawn/

Here are some of the highlights from the history of the White House lawn:

1800: President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams move into the presidential manse and plant the first garden there.

1801: Thomas Jefferson takes office and redesigns the garden, adding ornamental and fruit trees that are tended to by slaves.

1814: British troops set fire to the building, and reconstruction of the White House begins almost immediately.

1825: President John Quincy Adams plants fruit trees, herbs and vegetables to help support his own household.

1835: President Andrew Jackson builds an “orangery” for growing tropical fruit.

1857: The orangery is demolished and a full-scale greenhouse is built. But that is later demolished in 1902 and replaced by the West Wing.

1918: President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson use sheep to mow and fertilize the First Lawn at a time when the country is trying to conserve resources for the war effort.

1943: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt plants a large Victory Garden on the White House lawn, inspiring millions of Americans by her example.

The Obama's and their garden will be in good company. ;-)

[tama]

68. Are you White House?

So how do you know what a house wants? You identify with friggin house!!!

In fact, Obama's Organic garden - as powerfull example - would be his best and most efficient way to save millions of lives and take a good step towards balance with nature.

[liberal N proud]

8. This is the obsession of 85,000 people?

A vegetable garden at the White House?

:crazy:

[Neo Atheist]

16. over 300,000 idiots are obsessed with Obama's birthplace

according to World Net Daily's petition count, that 85000 are obsessed to interested in the development of a garden at the White House seems MENSA worthy compared to the aforementioned nutjob bullshit.

[tama]

69. Ever saw

the movie about Chaunsey Gardner? :)

[Nevernose]

90. How do you get "obsession" from "signed an online petition?"

That's just a bunch of hobbyists hitting "send to all in address book."

Threatening to secede from the Union because of Obama's failure to personally become an organic vegetable gardener? That's obsession. Besides, this is DU; wait around long enough, and someone will suggest that.

Seems like a neat idea, though, a good example and all.

[GeorgeGist]

11. As far as I can find ...

Romans 2:12 says no such thing.

[Brazenly Liberal]

12. One of those ideas that's better - and a lot easier - in theory than in practice

For one, it is fairly certainly true the WH could not get organic cert. Any food grown there would not be organic even if organic methods were used. You don't get a lawn that large and that gorgeous without TONS of chemicals and some of them stay in the soil for years. They would have to forgo chemicals on the lawn for at least 5 years or so first.

While that may sound a little nitpicky to some, it's not. The last thing we need is for the WH to endorse/promote organic food that isn't organic. It wouldn't be long before grocery stores were selling food at inflated prices with the claim it is as organic as if it was grown on the White House lawn.

I'm all in favor of promoting organic food. Hell, I live on a farm and we grow much of our own food and it's all organic.* But there are other ways they can do it more appropriately.


* Caveat - Organic is better than nonorganic, no question about it. But we have to remember that unless you live in extremely isolated geographical conditions, you can't grow really organic food any more, anyway. Chemical drift is measured in miles. That doesn't mean we shouldn't do the best we can, but there's no room for complacency. Agriculture - as it is practiced today - is one of the worst ecological crimes in history.

[SpiralHawk]

14. Raised bed gardens could circumvent the chemlawn thing, for sure

It is a way to Go Organic overnight, but of course you have to import the clean soil to fill the raised beds...but not that big a deal...

[Brazenly Liberal]

23. To some degree and probably only temporarily

The entire White House property would have to be maintained organically or it's a waste of time/money/effort and still sending a wrong message. If the rest of that vast lawn is still sprayed, if the rose garden is still sprayed, etc, that raised bed won't be organic for 5 minutes.

[crikkett]

19. What you say is true unless

the soil is simply replaced. It could happen.*

"The last thing we need is for the WH to endorse/promote organic food that isn't organic."
I disagree because you have to start somewhere. A showcase example of converting a lawn to a garden has enormous educational value.


*although, from reading your comment, probably not to your satisfaction.

[Brazenly Liberal]

28. It's not a matter of MY satisfaction.

And if you have to start somewhere, you do it by making more crops meet the standard, not by dumbing down the standard to the point where people don't know what the hell they're buying.

The idea of replacing the many tons of soil on the WH property is pretty much a nonstarter. It would be fabulously expensive if it is even possible. And doing that still most likely wouldn't qualify it as an organic operation. And that's not by MY standards, but by THE standards.

Keeping "organic" organic has been a constant struggle for farmers who do give a flying fuck about what's poured into the air and water and food supply. The erosion of standards you support here would mean people once again are screwed as far as knowing what's in their food.

[crikkett]

51. *sigh*

You're right, it's not a matter of your satisfaction.

You'll keep kvetching and we'll keep on going.

:hi:
bye

[LanternWaste]

83. What are the precise, relevant and unavoidable downsides

If it's a symbolic gesture, and tempts homeowners to grow vegetables on their own lawns (as did Eleanor Roosevelt did during WWII to get the Victory Garden ball rolling in the U.S.), I can't really perceive any downsides.

What are the precise, relevant and unavoidable downsides to a symbolic vegetable garden designed to promote individuals and families creating their own personal gardens rather than purchasing these same vegetables at a supermarket?

[Brazenly Liberal]

87. Beats me.

I have no objection to a vegetable garden.

This petition is from an organic advocate and is for a specifically organic garden. I objected to calling it organic if it isn't and, given the logistics of the situation, it's not likely to be.

What are the precise, relevant and unavoidable downsides to reading posts before you comment on them?

[LanternWaste]

104. And we know without doubt it will not be organic because....?

"objected to calling it organic if it isn't..."

And we know without doubt it will not be organic because....?

"What are the precise, relevant and unavoidable downsides to reading posts before you comment on them?"
I dunno... not too salient to me.

[Brazenly Liberal]

109. Read the other posts in the thread

If you can't get it from them, I can't help you. Well, that's not quite true. I CAN help you, but with that crapload of shit-eating snark and ignorance you showed up flinging, I'm much more inclined to just toss you onto my ignore list. Buh buy!

"I dunno... not too salient to me."
Oh, sweetie, I'm sure that's only too true too often.

[NickB79]

48. Why does the WH need an organic certificate if it's not selling the vegetables?

The OP stated that the petitioners are asking that the vegetable garden supply the White House kitchens, not downtown DC.

Personally, I don't care if they used a few chemicals here and there on the plants, if it's done responsibly. What's more important is that they'd set an example for the rest of the country and hopefully resurrect the tradition of the Victory Garden.

[Brazenly Liberal]

63. The petition is for an organic garden

Roger Doiron, the man behind the petition, is very specifically an advocate of organic gardening. Promoting a garden with chemicals as organic is like promoting clean coal - it's a lie that profits from the average person's lack of knowledge on the subject.

I have no argument with the WH or anyone else planting a garden that isn't completely organic. My only argument is with planting a garden that's labelled organic when it isn't. What the White House does acts as a powerful endorsement. If they fudge the standards, fudging the standards will become acceptable. A lot of people have worked VERY hard for many years to make sure the word organic means something and isn't just another bullshit corporate sales tactic.

Frankly, as far as I care, you or the WH or anyone else can plant and eat food grown in a mixture of axle grease, motor oil, and ddt if that's what floats your boat - but it isn't organic and if you call it organic, you have to expect reasonable people to object.

[sunnystarr]

13. This is why Dems are the butt of jokes

Those nut cases need to stay in the closet. It's things like this that tempt me to register Indy. I consider myself bordering on Progressive but hell I do have common sense!

[Le Taz Hot]

32. Since when is a garden a "Dem" thing?

:wtf: You grow your own food. You eat it (or give it away if you don't need it). What's wrong with that?

[Gormy Cuss]

39. What a coincidences. Repubs are the butt of jokes too.

The Repub ones are about selfish, greedy behavior. If Dems are laughed at over suggesting vegetable gardens instead of useless lawns, I'd rather be a Dem.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

64. What's wrong with growing a garden?

The white house used to always have a food garden.

[tama]

70. New manifesto:

All the gardeners of the world, unite!

Don't take a piss on gardeners. Take your pee into compost. That is the common sense, your attitude is common lunacy.

[rug]

15. Pictures of White House staff tending tomatoes do not set a good example.

[harmonicon]

21. why?

Because people who should be respected don't grow food? The people who do tend to our food should be invisible in a field far far away?

[rug]

22. Because having servants pick your tomatoes is not a message you want in a depression.

[harmonicon]

24. I'm pretty sure that they'd be employees or volunteers, not servants.

I come from a farming family where growing and harvesting food is not a shameful occupation. Perhaps having that same activity more in the public eye would make more people think that performing these tasks aren't "jobs that Americans won't do".

[rug]

26. Farming is great. White House staff playing at gardener is not.

[harmonicon]

27. Do you think they don't have gardeners already?

Who do you think takes care of the lawns, the rose garden, etc.?

[Zhade]

81. You as yet still have to offer ONE GOOD REASON why not.

Bunch of shallow assholes on this thread.

[rug]

107. It would be as phony as Bush clearing brush.

Nobody would seriously think the White House is living off its own cucumbers.

There are more effective means of promoting agriculture and home gardens than cheap publicity stunts.

If you want more depth, go to a library.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

72. I'm fairly certain the chefs staff would do it.

[BrightKnight]

78. We pay for a gardner anyway. What difference does it make what they grow?

A little eatable landscaping wouldn't hurt anything. If it encourages enough people to eat better it might save money. Most taxpayers would not have any problem with it.

It sounds like good, health, farm and environmental policy. A lot what the president does is symbolic.

[GinaMaria]

86. This could be used for school field trips

City kids don't get a lot of exposure to gardening or farming. They could go for the day and learn about all the steps in the process, help with the activities. This could also be a program on HGTV, they have talented gardners on many of their shows. Combine the two ideas and you have very experienced gardners teaching school aged children about growing their own food. What they learn about the process as well as helpful tips for those who have gardens of their own (watching at home). There are lots of ways to make this a very positive thing, involve people and provide opportunities for learning.

[L. Coyote]

17. Next step, clean air for those vegetables.

[crim son]

18. I LOVE this idea.

If I were in the area I'd be thrilled to volunteer to tend the garden. Instead, I'll just have to tend my own.

[marshall]

25. This sounds like a fantastic idea

I live on a farm, so raising my own food is nothing new to me. This would send a wonderful message to the country, and would start a healthy green trend.

[Tansy_Gold]

29. Everything old is new again

Sheep were grazed on the White House lawn during Wilson's term, and the First Family seemed to have no qualms joining in the war effort. I can't imagine the Obamas would feel demeaned to be gardening or even photographed showing off nice fresh organically grown veggies. I think they'd be damned proud.


Tansy Gold, of the very brown thumb

[Gormy Cuss]

40. There was also a Victory Garden at the White House in WWII.

There's plenty of lawn around the big white shack for some edible gardening. A part of me would love to sheep brought back to maintain the grassy sections.

:-)

[BumRushDaShow]

31. I like the idea of a vegetable garden at the White House

Why not? Have a classroom from a D.C. elementary school start seeds and invite them to plant the veggies and perhaps rotate school kids to tend it weekly (alongside the White House landscapers).

[fed_up_mother]

34. And he could wear a sweater and talk about the general malaise of the country.

Actually, it would be really cute if the kids were involved with the garden. :)

[itsrobert]

36. Yes, let's decide what's best for the Obama children

Wouldn't it be good to have the Obama girls out pulling out weeds for our entertainment? Even if they have no interest in it themselves?

[fed_up_mother]

37. It was just an offhand comment.

My kids love gardening.

However, from my comment in the subject line, I thought you could tell that I'm mostly against it. :) Public perception and all that.

Peace.

[Abq_Sarah]

96. Ugh.. I had zero interest in weeding our garden

And pulling crab grass from the lawn. My parents, of course, didn't give a damn and I had to do it anyway. :D

[Lost in CT]

113. Yeah it does have an unfortunate Jimmy Carter feel to it. nt

[TheCoxwain]

35. I think reinstalling the Solar Panels would be a good first step.

[Blue_Tires]

41. why stop at veggies?? they might as well suggest he grow hemp...

i know the hearts of the petitioners are in the right place, but in the real world this simply isn't happening...

[Lilith Velkor]

82. Hemp should be grown on the roof, so the snipers have cover

Well, not hemp, of course, but something leafy enough so they don't scare the tourists.

[Historic NY]

42. "Victory Gardens"...I'm expanding mine this year to include heirlooms.

[Shadoobie]

44. It could be bipartisan...

...with republicans providing the fertilizer.


Greg

[truthisfreedom]

45. I'm not sure I want Obama and his family eating things grown where people can get at them.

Seems dangerous to me. Someone could too easily contaminate his food.

[cali]

50. ridiculous. No place safer.

do you actually think people can just wander about the White House grounds?

[Gregorian]

46. They'll first have to relocate all of the dead bodies Cheney buried out there.

[appleannie1]

95. good fertizer

[47of74]

47. Why not?

There's plenty of room to have a garden on the White House grounds. I know if I was the President I'd be putting in a garden.

[NickB79]

49. Good idea. It would set an excellent example for the rest of the country

For those who haven't stopped by in the E/E forum here at DU, let me list a few of the countries currently looking down the barrel of severe droughts:

-California, water supplies down to 60% of historic levels. The state that supplies 50% of the US supply of fresh vegetables.
-Texas, 95% of the state in some form of drought, half of the state in severe drought. One of the largest agricultural states.
-Argentina, known as the breadbasket of South America.
-Australia's Murray-Darling river basin, one of the largest grain and fruit-producing areas in Australia.
-Northeastern China, where vast acreages of corn, wheat and soybeans are grown.

On top of all that, the current credit crunch is making it more difficult for large commercial farms to get funding to purchase seed, fuel, fertilizer and new equipment. Things do not look good for the global food supply right now. I'm renting 800 sq. ft. of land in two local community gardens this summer for the dirt-cheap price of $50. What my wife and I can't eat, can, freeze or dry, we will be giving away to friends, family, and any neighbors that want them.

Not only does this promote more self-sufficiency in food production, but also promotes energy conservation. How much fuel is burned by trucking or flying in tomatoes from California, or sweet corn from Mexico? This would fit in PERFECTLY with his push for green technology and environmental protections.

I can't see how this is anything but a GREAT idea.

[Deja Q]

53. What shall apartment and trailer part residents do? Use buckets and keep them next to windows?

That'll grow a week's worth of food in no time!

Never mind the added time and complexities of growing food in buckets -- it is truly not feasible. Especially if the big plan is for everybody to work 4 part time jobs and get 0 hours of sleep because $6.25/hr is too expensive a wage. :eyes:

[NickB79]

57. I AM an apartment dweller

If you didn't notice in my post, I said I was renting land at the local community gardens for the grand total of $50 per year. One is in a state park, while the other is run by a Latino community activism group. There are three other community gardens within 20 minutes drive of my apartment as well, but they were booked solid by Christmas! I've been on the phone with every Park & Recreation Services office in the southern half of the Twin Cities, urging them to consider installing more community gardens. I've also been discussing with the apartment manager the possibility of getting a community garden started in the courtyard of our apartment complex this spring.

As for growing food in buckets, I did grow cherry tomatoes in pots last year on our patio. I harvested one gallon of both yellow and red tomatoes, and they were delicious in salads or just fresh off the vine. Beyond that, though, you really do need to get a real garden, so on that point we agree.

Seriously, if you don't want to grow a garden, don't. No one is forcing you to. But don't come down on those of us who do enjoy it and recognize it's advantages.

For example: http://www.twincities.com/ci_11874788?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

"George Ball, chairman of the W. Atlee Burpee & Co., said his company's vegetable seed sales are also up 20 percent as of January. He pins it all on the economy.

"Forget about the perfect storm — this has created the perfect hurricane in terms of sales for our business," Ball said. "Trends like locavores (people who eat food grown or produced locally), that's what I call a fashion. But this recession is a structural trend. When you take away or reduce people's income, or reduce their nest egg by 40 or 50 percent, you have almost a depression mentality. People are quite anxious."

Ball said he noticed the cost of fruits and vegetables at grocery stores remained high even after fuel prices had dropped. So his company did a cost-analysis study, and concluded that people who invest $50 in the vegetable garden on seeds and fertilizer can harvest the equivalent of $1,250 worth of groceries from a store. As a result, the company introduced "Burpee's Money Garden," a $10 seed purchase that Burpee estimates will produce more than $650 worth of vegetables."

[tama]

74. "If you don't like gardening, don't"

Well said. I'd like to add, if you don't want to garden, you don't have eat either - why should gardeners feed you, what can you do for them? Money will not have great nutriciouss value, no matter how many zeros it contains. :)

[Deja Q]

52. Cost & time to plant, how long it takes to grow, secret service to guard it (scarecrows won't do)

et cetera



Especially in terms of feeding more than one family, it's not cost-effective - never mind feasible.

Then again, people also love to use the word "veggies" over "vegetables" in what are supposed to be professional publications, so I shouldn't be surprised that people are too busy dreaming to be bothered with useless things such as facts.

[NickB79]

59. Not cost effective?

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11874788?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com

George Ball, chairman of the W. Atlee Burpee & Co., said his company's vegetable seed sales are also up 20 percent as of January. He pins it all on the economy.

"Forget about the perfect storm — this has created the perfect hurricane in terms of sales for our business," Ball said. "Trends like locavores (people who eat food grown or produced locally), that's what I call a fashion. But this recession is a structural trend. When you take away or reduce people's income, or reduce their nest egg by 40 or 50 percent, you have almost a depression mentality. People are quite anxious."

Ball said he noticed the cost of fruits and vegetables at grocery stores remained high even after fuel prices had dropped. So his company did a cost-analysis study, and concluded that people who invest $50 in the vegetable garden on seeds and fertilizer can harvest the equivalent of $1,250 worth of groceries from a store. As a result, the company introduced "Burpee's Money Garden," a $10 seed purchase that Burpee estimates will produce more than $650 worth of vegetables.

A properly planned vegetable garden of a decent size shouldn't require more than a few hours per week of your time once planted in. Not to mention the relaxing and therapeutic value of working outdoors, in fresh air, sunshine and a nice breeze.

[Lost in CT]

101. Look I garden but it is about as cost efficient as fishing...

I like to do it it is relaxing but my per tomato cost is much higher than the local stop and shop... (better tomatoes though)

[Lilith Velkor]

62. The White House has two massive flower gardens

One of them has been growing herbs for decades.

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/grounds/kennedy-garden.htm

Note the picture at the very top of the page.

It would be a very simple matter to remove one or two flowerbeds and plant cucumbers, tomatoes, and squash. (I don't know about other vegetables; those three are what most people grow around here.)

[BrightKnight]

76. done w/ current budget and it is the most secure yard in America

It could be done with the current budget. I hope that the Secret Service has the the White House lawn locked down very tight. Defending a garden is not going to cost any more than defending the swing set.

In any case it is a symbolic gesture. I don't need to know if they actually eat out of it or not.

[Blaze Diem]

54. According to the American Horticultural Therapy Association (AHTA) This could be a great

benefit to healing the sniping on 'both sides of the aisle'. Send them out to work in the garden. Its good for the soul, the mind, & the body.

(just a thought)
---------------------------
I have belonged to this organization for years and the benefits of gardening from this approach is obvious. Check out their website here... thanks

http://ahta.org

I have created community programs to promote elderly & children gardening together. Involved school kids and nursing home residents in simple projects, solicited local grants funds for the products purchased and all was a success.

I have created gardening products for those with disabilities to make it possible for them to enjoy this beneficial hobby.
The first product I created was on display in the Healing Gardens at the World Gardening Expo at Epcot Center in 2000.

There are gardens created for those who are blind, for instance. Designed as 'touch' gardens, these contain plants identifiable by their texture, such as "lambs ears", which are soft and fuzzy.
Generally designed in a box-type container, braille rails are placed along the edges for readable descriptions, specifically for the blind.

This is what Healing or Therapeutic Gardening is about. Most Botanic Gardens have an area designed with this purpose in mind.

Yes Yes Yes to the White House Garden.
Feed the hungry & heal the world.

--------------
Thanks
Blaze

[Belial]

55. Wonder what they would plant?

[struggle4progress]

58. This Lawn is Your Lawn

This Lawn is Your Lawn (pre-election version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOXtNdQxGw8

<post-election version>
http://vimeo.com/1812382?pg=embed&sec=1812382

[struggle4progress]

60. Vegetables may be victors in '08 campaign (Orlando Sentinel Feb 09)

Heather McPherson | FOOD
February 18, 2009

... Cultivating a White House vegetable garden. There may be new hope for change in White House support for the eat-local movement. Many foodies were encouraged when Alice Waters, undoubtedly one of the most influential American chefs, hosted a fundraiser back in September for then-candidate Barack Obama. Waters is the co-owner of Chez Panisse in Berkeley, Calif., and a champion of locally grown and fresh ingredients.

At the fundraiser, Waters spoke about urging President Clinton early in his presidency to create a garden on the White House South Lawn. Ground was never broken on such a project, but Waters is still hoping that it will happen ...

Roger Doiron, an organic gardener and food activist in Scarborough, Maine, started a campaign last year to pressure the next president to grow veggies at the White House.

The petition drive is called Eat the View and you can jump on board at the Web site eattheview.org ...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/featu

[struggle4progress]

61. Economic Meltdown Reason for a New Victory Garden Movement (Doiron | Alternet)

By Roger Doiron, AlterNet. Posted March 5, 2009

... The last time a victory garden was planted at the White House was by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943 when the country was at war and the economy was struggling. Roosevelt's leadership inspired millions of Americans by giving them something tangible and meaningful they could do to make their own lives better and their country stronger.

But the victory garden movement did much more than simply lift America's spirits. It also grew tons of healthy, affordable food (nearly 40 percent of the nation's produce at its peak), encouraged millions of citizens to become more physically active, and helped conserve natural and financial resources at a time of crisis.

That season of crisis has come again, and the idea of relaunching a new homegrown movement is once again winning hearts and minds, not to mention contests. A year ago, well before anyone knew who the next "eater in chief" would be, I entered the proposal to replant a food garden at the White House in the "On Day One" contest, an online project sponsored by the United Nations Foundation to generate policy recommendations for the new administration.

To my own surprise and many others', the proposal won first prize, beating out more than 4,000 other entries including ones by a Nobel Peace laureate and a Spice Girl. Whenever you can finish ahead of a peace star and pop star in a popularity contest, I think you're on to something. What the idea needs now is some star power of its own, and I can't think of anyone better than the Obamas for planting the seeds of the next victory garden movement ...

http://www.alternet.org/environment/129678/economic_meltdown_reason_for_a_new_victory_garden_movement_/

[Dappleganger]

65. It's really tiring to read this constant desire to tell the Obamas what to do.

People need to mind their own damn business and leave them the hell alone. If they want to grow an organic garden, then they should do it themselves. I'm sure the White House gets their veggies from farmer stands and there's no reason to take away biz from them.

[tama]

71. I thought Obama

was a public servant, hired by "We the people" to do what people want him to do.

I guess the leadership cult is more fun, after all... :)

PS: how do you think Russians and Cubans survived their collapses etc., how people survived during war and other interesting times, those that did? By gardening, locally and organically grown food.

In the coming years as the systemic collapse progresses, most critical political issue will be land reform. Like it allways was.

[LiberalPersona]

99. A servant is not a slave however /nt

[galledgoblin]

73. I like it!

although, the next republican admin would likely rip it right out, same way Reagan ripped out the solar panels Carter installed...

[BrightKnight]

75. A little victory garden could do a lot to promote good nutrition

and sustainable living. A few pictures of the President with ripe and healthy vegetables would be a good idea.

The secret service might have some concerns but there is probably not a more thoroughly protected place to grow food.

Also, turning large portions of the White House lawn into a garden would do more harm than good.

[LeftHander]

102. GOP took credit...calling it a Freedom Garden.....lol

[Mind_your_head]

108. How so?

You said:

Also, turning large portions of the White House lawn into a garden would do more harm than good.

[Desperadoe]

77. Great Idea

""

Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square

You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there.

[w4rma]

79. Bring back the White House garden! (nt)

[New Dawn]

84. Institute universal health care. Then plant your garden.

[Whoa_Nelly]

85. But, they will be arrested for this! O Noes!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5237218

Javaman
Thu Mar-12-09 06:25 AM
Original message
You May Be Arrested Soon For Growing A Tomato Updated at 8:54 AM


As our government hands over billions to Wall Street bankers, jobless Americans live in tent cities and collect food stamps in record numbers. Now when we need it the most, growing our own food may be against the law and punishable by a fine of up to $1,000,000. Think I’m joking? Meet Bill HR 875, The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, introduced by Rosa DeLauro whose husband Stanley Greenburg works for Monsanto. The insanity doesn’t stop there—fishing boats, hotdog stands, neighborhood vegetable booths and farmers’ markets will be federally regulated under the same draconian law. As always, the spin is designed to make you (the public) believe these new provisions are for your own good. Under the deceitful guise of protection, the goal of this bill is crystal clear: to prevent us from locally growing our own food so multinational agribusiness can completely control the production and distribution of our food supply. I refer you to the usual suspects—Monsanto, ADM, Sodexo, Tyson, and Smithfield.

[CreekDog]

88. you forgot:

froth, spit, rant, :banghead: :crazy: :wtf:

:eyes: :sarcasm:

:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

92. CreekDog!

Thanks for picking up my slack! :loveya: :hi: :pals:

[humus]

89. turn around and go forward

To forget how to dig the earth and to tend the soil is to forget ourselves.
-Mahatma Gandhi


"a people who are entirely lacking in economic self-determination,
either personal or local, and who are therefore entirely passive in
dealing with the suppliers of all their goods and services, including
political goods and services, cannot be governed democratically--or
not for long."
Wendell Berry

"And even today, against overpowering odds and prohibitive costs, one
does not have to go far in any part of the country to hear voiced the
old hopes that stirred millions of immigrants, freed slaves, westward
movers, young couples starting out: a little farm, a little shop, a
little store--some kind of place and enterprise of one's own, within
and by which one's family could achieve a proper measure of
independence, not only of economy, but of satisfaction, thought, and
character."
Wendell Berry

"We assume that we can have an exploitive, ruthlessly competitive,
profit-for-profit's-sake economy, and yet remain a God-fearing and a
democratic nation, as we still apparently think of ourselves. This
simply means that our highest principles and standards have no
practical force or influence, and are reduced merely to talk."
Berry

"...our country is not being destroyed by
bad politics, it is being destroyed by a bad way
of life. Bad politics is merely another result."
-- Wendell Berry (http://www.brtom.org/wb/berry.html)

"A change of heart or of values without a practice is only another
pointless luxury of a passively consumptive way of life."
-- Wendell Berry in "The Idea of a Local Economy"

It is, in every way, in the best interest of urban consumers to be
surrounded by productive land, well farmed and well maintained by
thriving farm families in thriving farm communities.
Wendell Berry

Biotechnology, variety patenting, and other agribusiness innovations
are intended not to help farmers or consumers but to extend and
prolong corporate control of the food economy; they will increase the
cost of food, both economically and ecologically.

To put the bounty and the health of our land,
our only commonwealth, into the hands of people
who do not live on it and share its fate
will always be an error.
For whatever determines the fortune of the land
determines also the fortune of the people.
If history teaches anything, it teaches that.
--Wendell Berry

Nothing is more pleasing or heartening than a plate of nourishing,
tasty, beautiful food artfully and lovingly prepared. Anything less
is unhealthy, as well as a desecration.
Wendell Berry

[AyanEva]

91. If I had a lawn that big

I'd have a garden somewhere on it for sure. :)

[Cha]

93. I love this idea and know that

one of their White House chefs that they brought from Chicago is very much into really fresh food. Imagine the expert gardeners they'd have and what an inspiration to millions of Americans!

"Just two years ago, Sam Kass was one of the cooks on the line at the chic Avec restaurant in the West Loop. Now, the 28-year-old Chicago chef is part of President Obama’s kitchen cabinet.

Kass, who was the Obama family’s personal chef in Chicago, has been named an assistant White House chef, a spokeswoman for first lady Michelle Obama said Wednesday. He’ll work under executive chef Cristeta Comerford, a holdover from the Bush White House.

Kass grew up in Chicago, trained in Europe and graduated from the University of Chicago. His private chef business — Inevitable Table — says it promotes “a health lifestyle that focuses on the quality and flavor of food to encourage good eating habits.”

Last year, Kass headed the kitchen at Chicago’s Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, which holds free, weekly coffee klatches open to the public — only with soup, not coffee."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1402561,sam-kass-obamas-kitchen-012809.article

[Kablooie]

98. Maybe the Obamas could learn to eat grass.

[KamaAina]

105. Didn't that already happen under Reagan?

oh, right, that was the Oval Office... :evilgrin:

[IndianaGreen]

110. Ahhhh, a rebirth of the Liberty gardens from WWII

Let's plant Rush Limbaugh in the cabbage patch.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

112. Where will the Republicans get their ass carrots???

Seriously.

You know, they're so stiff that they walk around like...... :rofl: