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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]
Donate Now button* 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
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.

edible schoolyardsThe 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.

question marksThe 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.

Ag Farm Harvest FestivalThe 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 aquaponicssymbiotic 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!)

garlic bulbWe 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 Birke Baehrsystem, 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.
 


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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