Anne Woods: A Weekend for Superheroes
Michelle Obama's White House Garden - Victory or Crisis?
Filed under: Opinions
Last Friday, Michelle Obama and a group of fifth graders from Washington DC's Bancroft Elementary School dug up soil on the White House lawn for what will soon become the first White House victory garden. With this high profile on-site garden located near her daughters' swing set, the First Lady hopes to educate children about the importance of a healthful diet and the need to think local when it comes to our food choices. She also hopes to inspire more Americans to start digging, planting and harvesting at least some of their own fruits and vegetables.
The concept of a victory garden started during World War I and II when, as a result of food shortages, the United States government began encouraging Americans to start gardens as a way of supporting the war effort. Americans responded overwhelmingly and soon, nearly one third of all the produce consumed came from homegrown victory gardens – a tasty testament to American patriotism.
The historical roots of the American victory garden are an ironic backdrop to the First Lady's efforts. While her motivations for starting a White House garden are to educate, especially at a time when obesity and diabetes are at an all-time high, many Americans began plans for their garden well before the Obama's garden made news.
In fact, many of them started around the time her husband's stimulus package passed. Dubbed, "crises gardens," these gardens are largely a response to fears and uncertainties over the American economy, specifically, inflation and currency devaluation. Evidence of this crisis mood can also be seen in the shortages of canning supplies, an uptick in internet ads for seeds, and even in the extraordinary and underreported rise in sales of guns and ammunition.
As a resident of rural Wisconsin, I have first-hand knowledge of the many "crises gardens" sprouting up in my neck of the woods, but when I mentioned this phenomenon to a friend of mine on a trip to New York City two weeks ago, she had not heard of it at all. In fact, she was surprised when I told her that we too had plans to expand the garden my husband and kids plant for fun each year in response to the crisis. When I revealed that we had also invested in some canning supplies, and extra food and ammo, just in case, she looked at me like I was Granny Clampett. We laughed about it. "You should blog about that!" she laughed.
So, ok, maybe it's a just a rural-urban thing, but I did major in Economics and with all the dollars we're printing and talk of yet another trillion dollar bailout this week, I figure there's no harm in a little precaution and a bigger, heartier garden.
Besides, in my book, whether you call yours a victory garden or a crisis garden, eating fresh and local produce is always a very patriotic thing to do!
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ReaderComments (Page 2 of 2)
3-25-2009 @ 6:43PM
Dr. Charles Martin said...It's encouraging to see attention focused on more healthful eating especially now, as Rachel pointed out, when the type 2 diabetes epidemic rages across the U.S. and in much of the developed world. More fresh produce in the daily diet is useful in weight management and other elements of addressing elevated blood sugar. We write extensively about related issues at http://dentistryfordiabetics.com/blog.
- Charles Martin, DDS
Founder, Dentistry For Diabetics
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3-26-2009 @ 10:51PM
Tired said...LS- Blaming the current crash on the 1970s is one of the most baseless arguments the right-wing has come up with. Thank you Lisa for your comment.
The CRA was most certainly NOT the cause of the current lending crisis. Independent mortgage companies, who carry significant blame for the current crisis, were never subject to the CRA or unfortunately ANY federal regulations because they are not commercial banks.
Conservative principles of free market de-regulation allowed greed and high-profits to encourage the selling of these securitized mortgages. Fannie and Freddie bare a burden in this, but only because they were not REGULATED as they should have been.
Law did not force banks to lend. Short-term profit motive did.
During the Bush era, mortgages were given away like candy. Bush and his Republican congress (for 6 years) had the ability to regulate the shenanigans of this current housing bubble, and that is why a good portion of the blame falls on their lap.
I agree, it's tiring always looking back and blaming Bush or Clinton or . But sometimes it is necessary to look back and recognize basic truths that will help us not fall into this same situation again. In my opinion, this situation can be avoided in the future with regulation. (That does NOT equate to socialism, by the way.)
PS. You don't always have to defend Bush. I supported him after 911; I gave him a chance. Just because he's your party/your religion/likes guns/etc. don't allow yourselves to be blinded to his many mistakes.
Karen- The New Deal played a major role in helping this country out of the Great Depression. That too, required spending.
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3-27-2009 @ 1:44PM
Fizzygrrl said...Whomever you are, I think I love ya a lil' bit.
Well said!
3-27-2009 @ 4:51AM
Anne said...This problem really bad that they feel it essential, others are unable to comment.
http://www.000health.com
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3-27-2009 @ 2:24PM
Kate said...Please stop making jabs at our President. He has a big mess to clean up due to the last administration, which operated opposite to the conservative ideals that both you and they profess to appreciate.
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3-29-2009 @ 10:32PM
formyson said...So this is where Rachel went after being on several MTV reality shows. A few years back, I, like I'm sure many others, got the chance to see her vie for a seat on The View but apparently Babs didn't think she'd make for good TV. Um, could it be due to her past?? Only asking because I DO REMEMBER Rachel from The Real World and even though Elizabeth was on a reality show, when comparing the two, it doesn't take a genius to see/hear the difference between the two!! Two tries and still no dice for Rachel for a seat on The View but as I read her blog, one thing hit me.... I wonder what the show would be like with 2 REPUBLICANS on it?? Ooohh, scary thought I have to admit!!
You know Rachel, slamming our President or the First Lady doesn't do much for "your cause". No, it only shows how bitter you are about the election and that's to bad because if you recall, we DID have to live through your choice for a total of 8 LONG YRS!!
I agree with many on here. The "gardens" are a great idea but to throw a jab in there, once again, it just shows your bitterness.
As far as stock piling "ammo". Well, if you feel the need to do so, go for it. Personally, since I don't own a gun, I don't need to but whatever floats your boat I guess..... *rolling eyes*
*Kristy,,, as I was reading her blog, I too asked myself the question you posed... Short answer to an easy question,, Apparently "someone" from ParentDish felt they needed a person like Rachel to speak on behalf of all Republicans out there.... :{ Really, what other reason could there be???
Peace
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3-31-2009 @ 2:54PM
mommy4 said...It seems to me that Rachel's blog was quite simple: Michelle Obama's victory garden sends a powerful message to Americans to eschew processed and fatty foods and to choose a more healthful and natural diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables. At the same time, as Rachel points out, the White House garden is emblematic of what is going on across the nation: as the economy tanks, Americans are finding ways to cut corners (or at least they better start.) This could have a beautiful effect - one that is particularly American in tough times: sacrifice, getting back to basics and thinking locally! Her mention of our government's current policy in dealing with our economic woes hardly comes across as sour grapes, as many of you have suggested. The notion that spending our way out of debt is a rational approach is insane - its like telling an alcoholic to continue drinking himself out of addiction. As much as we all would like Obama to really be "Change we can believe in", truth is - he is giving us more of the same irrational spending behavior we've seen in Washington - and adding in a heavy dose of populist spending to keep his base fat and happy. The irony of the WH victory garden is that it represents a way in which Americans can, as individuals, change our crazy spending habits, learn to live within our means, and SAVE. However, the main inhabitant of the WH has not asked Americans to sacrifice - instead has promised us hand outs and tax cuts, and all the while increasing government spending. Lest anyone try to pigeonhole me - I do not consider myself a supporter of either party - I am an American through and through, and want only what is best for our country. As such, I hope more people turn to local producers - and that America can go back to her greatness - that is, when we weren't importing junk from China, nor were we borrowing money from China - because ours is a country so rich in resources that we have all we need right here - and local gardens could be a harbinger: at last, Americans getting back to basics!
As for Rachel's ammo comment, I think she's mentioned she's from Wisconsin - so I suppose people up there hunt - a normal and acceptable way to put food on the table. Its much more palatable to me than factory farming....think about it.
And finally, thank you Rachel for a refreshing parenting blog that very appropriately ties parenting in with social and economic policy..it matters to us, it affects us, and we should discuss it!
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