[OKC] Thousands behind White House vegetable 'plot'

[Shauna Struby]

FYI - Wouldn't it be great if our governor, legislators, mayors, council
persons, etc. across the state would do the same?!? 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090311/lf_afp/lifestyleusobamagardeningoffbeat
_20090311224345;_ylt=ApdkNlM5iT36kHnLjmSZI1L1_sEF

WASHINGTON (AFP) - 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 plan's germinator said Wednesday.
"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,
told AFP, adding the idea had sprouted last year.
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, Doiron predicted.
Backing for the idea has come from as far away as Kenya, where farmers asked
if they could sign the petition and make a financial contribution to the
cause.
The town of Kingston in New York state has been inspired by Doiron's plan to
put in a vegetable garden in front of their town hall.
In Flint, Michigan, city officials have approved "a three-acre garden
smack-dab in the middle of the municipal complex," said Doiron.
There may be some backing for the plan from inside the White House.
"We are in touch with policy staffers from Michelle Obama's office, and
while they are not committing to anything, they are asking very good
questions and are aware of the popular support the idea has," said Doiron.
"They seem to be considering it."
Doiron, an organic gardening advocate who last year harvested fresh
vegetables worth 2,000 dollars from his own patch in his suburban garden in
Maine, said precedent exists for the plan.
The White House last had an "edible landscape" in 1943, when first lady
Eleanor Roosevelt planted a Victory Garden.
"It was a time of war, it was at a time of economic crisis, and it was at a
time when Americans were looking to the White House for leadership," he said
of the Roosevelt allotment.
"Sound familiar?" he added.

 

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