FEATURE ARTICLE:
Local, Organic Food Coming Closer to Home
By Susan Waters, April 17, 2009


Thanks to a return to the Victory Garden concept, but with a 21st century spin, the Obama’s organic garden at the White House is bringing the importance of access to local, clean and healthy food into the public’s consciousness.

Michelle Obama broke ground on the 1100 square foot garden on March 20, where 55 kinds of vegetables, berries, herbs and beehives will be harvested to feed the first family and official White House visitors. The garden will be planted with organic seedlings and tended with organic fertilizers and organic insect repellents. It has also been requested that gardeners plant heirloom seeds and use compost made from food waste from government kitchens.

More than mere landscaping, the White House garden took on political and environmental symbolism. “It’s exciting that our elected leader and his family are setting such a positive example. Perhaps many people will follow their lead and put in their own organic garden,” says MOA Board Member Sandi Shanks.



Jim Lindquist, an organic farmer in Bloomfield, Montana, states, “The garden also provides an excellent educational opportunity for people to learn more about the benefits of organic food, both on personal health and the welfare of the environment." The educational opportunity is not lost on Michelle Obama, who utilized the help of area school children at the groundbreaking and plans on taking the message to schools and community centers.

Advocates of the garden believe that growing food organically and locally will lead to healthier eating and less stress on the environment by reducing the need for huge industrial farms that use chemicals for fertilizer and pest control and rely on more oil for transportation.

Organic farmer, Steve Baril from Helena, agrees and adds: "Most importantly, the powerful message coming from the White House is adding weight to a movement that is occurring across the United States to rethink our food system, to make it fairly available and nutritious for everyone, and to encourage growing practices that sustain farm families, the environment, and communities. Thumbs up to the Obamas."

UPCOMING MOA EVENT
MOA invites you to attend our annual conference November 12-14, 2009 in Great Falls. Top notch speakers, delectable food, friendly folk and vendors galore make this gathering a must-attend event. More details will be posted soon.


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