Vegetable gardens are springing up in front yards around the country, and depending on the community these gardens can be a source of pride or a proverbial "thorn in the side."

The Hill family's front yard vegetable garden not only provides for the family but the community as well, through fresh produce donations to the local food pantry. So far neighbors have yet to raise issue with their street-visible gardening activities.

 

Not too far away, in antoher Chicago suburb, the Lyakhovetsky family has received complaints from neighbors and correspondance from the village board. The issue is generating some buzz on the internet. Click here to see how residents are weighing in.

Do you have insight on front yard gardens? Is your community encouraging or discouraging their use? Let AIB know; e-mail us at aib@ofa.org.

The goal of the People's Garden School Pilot Program is to develop and run community gardens at eligible high-poverty schools; teach students involved in the gardens about agriculture production practices, diet, and nutrition; and evaluate the learning outcomes. This $1 million pilot program will be awarded to implement a program in up to five States. To be eligible as project sites, schools must have 50 percent or more students qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals.

Author, syndicated columnist, and television and radio host Joe Lamp'l ("Joe Gardener") will the guest host for the Saturday, October 2, AIB awards ceremony.

For three years Joe hosted "Fresh from the Garden" on the DIY Network. There, he was responsible for maintaining a picture-perfect garden with the premise of taking vegetables from seed to harvest in a single episode. He is now the current host of "GardenSMART" on PBS television where he features spectacular gardens around the country and profiles the dedicated gardeners who nurture them. In addition, he is a frequent guest expert on shows such as The Today Show, Good Morning America, and The Victory Garden. Visit Joe's web site for more information. 

Current and past America in Bloom participating cities were invited to submit a YouTube video about the value of the AIB program to their community.  

Communities were asked to showcase how participating in AIB has impacted the  quality of life and cohesiveness within the community.
 
The winner receives a $500 cash award and will be announced during the criteria award ceremony at the America in Bloom Symposium & Awards Program on Thursday, September 30. 

View the videos submitted by various AIB communities on AIB's YouTube channel.  

A vacant lot in Chicago's West Ridge neighborhood has blossomed this summer into a vibrant urban garden - and something of a living historical monument. Once the site of a World War II victory garden, the long-fallow property near the northern edge of the city is blooming again with everything from tomatoes to corn.

Reviving the nearly 70-year-old wartime campaign to replenish scarce produce, the Peterson Garden Project is true to its roots, but also reflective of a growing trend toward localized, community-based agriculture.
Read the full article.

America in Bloom would like to recognize and thank Dosatron International for its recent donation. Dosatron was an exhibitor at the recent OFA Short Course, horticulture's premier industry event.

Dosatron distributed buttons to attendees with the goal of finding the person on the trade show floor with a matching number. Two $400 cash prizes were to be awarded. When no winners came forward, Dosatron chose to donate the $800 to America in Bloom. We thank them for their support.
 
To learn how you can support America in Bloom, visit the web site.