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Montgomery Victory Gardens Weekly Update - September 30, 2010
In this update:
* More Proof that School Gardens Work * County Sues Farmer for Growing "Too Many Vegetables" [video] * Agricultural History Farm Park Harvest Festival - Saturday, October 2 * Fish Farms with a Side of Greens * A Follow Up Thought on Getting Seed Garlic * Watch an 11-Year Old Explain What's Wrong with Our Food System [video]* Save These Dates! - October 12 & October 24 |
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More Proof that School Gardens Work
Even while schools across the country develop vegetable
gardens and First Lady Michelle Obama has made them a centerpiece of her
"Let's Move" anti-obesity program, some people still question their
effectiveness. Well here's a the latest
study to offer scientific proof that they DO work, as reported by The Washington Post's food writer Jane Black.
The study examined Berkeley's Edible Schoolyard program,
one of the most advanced in the nation, which offers not only school gardens but also
instruction in cooking and made-from-scratch meals in their cafeterias featuring
local food. (Sounds awesome, doesn't it??)
And the results were the same as for other studies looking at more limited
school garden programs.
After one year of the complete program, fifth-graders
ate nearly an extra serving of vegetables each day and a total of 1.5 extra
servings of fruit and vegetables. (You
may recall from last week's update that the NYC School Garden Initiative cites
a study where 6th graders participating in a school garden program ate 2.5 more
servings a day.)
The programs also increased students' knowledge and
attitudes about healthful eating and nutrition.
Even a couple of years later, researchers found that seventh-graders who
had early culinary education were more likely to favor leafy, green vegetables.
As they say in the TV ads - any questions? (Thanks to Aviva and other MVGers for passing
this on!)
County Sues Farmer for Growing "Too Many
Vegetables" [video]
Okay - at least we're not talking about Montgomery
County. But the fact that this could happen anywhere in the U.S. speaks volumes
about the attitudes - and laws - regarding local food production that still
need to be changed.
The bureaucrats in question are in Dekalb County,
Georgia, near Atlanta. And the man they
are suing is Steve Miller, a landscaper and part time farmer who has been
growing organic vegetables on his two acre lot to the delight of his friends
and neighbors. County officials claimed
his operation was too large for his neighborhood zoning, and even though Mr.
Miller stopped growing vegetables while the zoning was changed, the officials
are still proceeding to sue him!
We can only hope that Mr. Miller prevails in court.
Watch the news clip here. (And thanks to
MVG Board Member Niki Lewis for passing on this gem!)
Speaking of county zoning restrictions, we're delighted to let you know that the
Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission is currently drafting proposed
changes in zoning restrictions that apply to Montgomery County, with a desire
to make them more urban agriculture friendly.
(They contacted MVG again this week to get our perspective.) Look for an update on this important
development soon!
Agricultural History Farm Park Harvest Festival -
Saturday, Oct. 2
Here's a final reminder for this Saturday's Harvest
Festival a the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park.
The Ag History Farm Park is a wonderful link to our
county's agricultural past and future, and here's just a taste of what you will
find in this family-friendly event on Saturday: tinsmithing, pumpkin painting, chestnut
roasting, scarecrow making, antique farm equipment, an archaeological dig, gardening
talks and demos at the Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden, live farm animals,
games and food, live music, a potato scramble... and much more!
So come on out from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, October 2
to the Ag History Farm Park in Derwood (outside of Gaithersburg). Admission is $10 per car. Click here for more information, or call 301-924-4141; on event day, please call
301-721-0312.
Fish Farms With a Side of Greens
What can you do with an old abandoned factory? How about producing tons of leafy green
vegetables and edible fish through a process called aquaponics!
As this article in the NY Times reports, "aquaponics
is a combination of aquaculture, or fish cultivation, and hydroponics, or
water-based planting, which utilizes a symbiotic relationship between fish and
plants. Fish waste provides nutrients for the plants, which in turn filter the
water in which the fish live. Cuttings from plant are composted to create food
for worms, which provide food for the fish, completing the cycle."
"Aquaponics is a
method of delivering multiple crops with minimum input, through a closed-loop
method of farming," said Charlie Price, founder of Aquaponics UK. "As the
ecosystem becomes self-sustainable, the fish food comes from the worms, so the
entire cycle is free."
Originally pioneered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin by urban
farming superstar and MacArthur "Genius" award winner Will Allen at Growing Power,
this method is starting to be replicated around the world. (And might be here
in Montgomery County soon with the help of our friends at growingSOUL.) And while it might have some limitations
(it's hard to grow root vegetables without soil, for instance), they are
nothing compared to the amazing benefits of what some are calling the farming of the
future. Check it out!
A Follow Up Thought on Getting Seed Garlic
In last week's update we discussed the problems that
our friends at Red Wiggler Community Farm have had with their garlic crop this
year, and suggested that those looking for organic seed garlic order from
reputable suppliers such as Johnny's or Peaceful Valley. (And of course, everyone should plant
garlic!)
We quickly received this response from MVGer Phyllida,
who wrote "I just get my planting garlic from the Takoma Park Farmers'
Market. [Other local farmers markets have it as well.] None of those heads have
been treated, nor have they been subjected to refrigeration. Much cheaper than ordering online and no
shipping costs. Quite a few different
garlic varieties are available though many sell out as September becomes
October. And we know they are right for
this region."
Wonderful suggestion, Phyllida, thanks for reminding us
of this other great local option! And
another reason we are establishing our Montgomery Victory Gardens Facebook
page, so you can get good ideas and feedback like this directly from other MVG
supporters - look for that page soon!
Watch an 11-Year Old Explain Our Food System [video]
While agribusiness - and the legislators who take money
from agribusiness - seem to have a difficult time understanding the immense and
growing problems with our food system, many many Americans are increasingly
clued in to these issues, and demanding local, organic and sustainably grown
food as a result. The issues are so
clear, frankly, that even a child could understand it.
And here is one of those children. In this video that is quickly making the rounds,
11- year old Birke Baehr explains in a little over 5 minutes what's wrong with
our food system and what we can do to change it. (One of his many good lines, which I suspect
might have been lifted from Michael Pollen, regards the cost of buying healthy,
fresh food: "we can either pay the farmer or we can pay the
hospital.")
Enjoy - and forward it far and wide!
Save These Dates! - October 12 and October 24
While details will come follow in an upcoming email,
mark your calendar now for these two important events:
Tuesday, October 12 - A public meeting of the
Montgomery County Council that will hear reports and testimony on the issue of
school vegetable gardens in Montgomery County.
Sunday, October 24 - "The Future of Food and
Farming in Montgomery County:" a benefit for Montgomery Victory Gardens
and the Campaign for School Gardens in Montgomery County, featuring award-winning
recording artists "emma's revolution," to be held at the beautiful
Blueberry Gardens Farm in Ashton.
# # #
That's all for this week! Don't forget to keep sending us those ideas for local food stories, events and issues to cover! And look for our Facebook page soon!
For the Montgomery Victory Gardens team,
Gordon Clark, Project Director
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