Friday, March 20, 2009

No Way!!! Obamas to Plant Kitchen Garden on White House Lawn!!!

Catering to insistent requests by countless members of the local and organic food movement, the Obamas have agreed to plant a 'first garden' on the South Lawn of the White House! Check out yesterday's New York Times article on the garden here. Quote:

On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn’t like them) but arugula will make the cut.

While the organic garden will provide food for the first family’s meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.

In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, “My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”

Michelle also said, for those who don't have the time or yard to garden, “You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables." I'm so excited to see the Obamas encouraging Americans to take little steps toward a better lifestyle! I have heard so many people talking about this garden, including the Eat the View campaign, Michael Pollan and Alice Waters. The garden plan is already available here, and they are planning to fertilize with in-house compost and crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay. Congratulations to everyone who helped this dream to become reality.

4 comments:

  1. I hope they grow okra and black-eyed peas.

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  2. There's nothing really hot weather.. no tomatoes, peppers or eggplant.

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  3. What a beautiful spring/herb garden. I look forward to seeing how it evolves!

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  4. Very exciting. Perhaps not the largest variety of plants, but a great start.

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