Slideshow courtesy of redwhiteandgrew.blogspot.com

Diggin’ Deep(er) to Move Us All Forward:

Toward a Nationwide

Victory Garden Revival

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The Victory Garden (VG) Movement

Began in WWI, as part of war effort Initially overseen by the National War Garden

Commission Over 3 million gardens were created across the

country, in all settings First “war garden” was at Camp Dix, New

Jersey Over 400 acres to serve 48,000 troops

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Promoting the Concept Nationwide

Image source: National Archives; images are in public domain.

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WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Food waste is the enemy, food thrift the battle cry, and food conservation the weapon. The call to arms is urgent and involves every household in America…”

- Charles L. Pack, Pres.Nat. War Garden Commission

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WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Everyone who creates or cultivates a garden helps…This is the time for America to correct her unpardonable fault of wastefulness and extravagance.”

- Pres. Woodrow Wilson

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WWII-Era VG Movement

Promoted by the Government, the project targeted urban and rural areas Small home and community gardens allowed for: food

from larger farms to be sent to troops; supplement of civilian rations; less fuel for food transport

At the end of the war, VGs accounted for 40% of total US produce

As with WWI, gardens came in all shapes and sizes, private and community

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WWII-Era VG/Food Propaganda

Image source: New Hampshire State Library; images are in public domain.

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After WWII…

With the troops at home, commercial gardens could return to producing solely for the public

Economic prosperity meant that many gardens were abandoned A few original gardens still exist (Fenway in Boston)

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Recent, Relevant Developments

Several web sites, blogs, articles and op-ed pieces have popped up nationwide promoting the idea of a VG revival

The Smithsonian recently recreated a VG in Washington based on a 1940s pamphlet

The city of San Francisco has launched a community-wide VG effort; other major cities are interested

Sources: The Associated Press; Smithsonian web site

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Impetuses behind a VG Revival

General interest in gardening as a hobbyConcerns about climate change, fuel/food

scarcity, national security,economic challenges, locavore/slow food movements

The Internet as a means of promoting the basic idea as viable again

Practical, healthy and…fun!

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“Hidden” VG Benefits

VGs can: Foster self-reliance Promote healthy eating

Especially when organic practices are used Encourage physical activity Cultivate community Nurture wildlife

Including bees, which are struggling Increase overall well-being

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YOU Can Promote the VG Revival:

Grow a garden…in a plot or in a pot! Educate yourself and others on the history of the

movement. Consider creating groups (Meet Up) or incorporating VG

projects into existing organizational efforts Encourage local/regional/national leaders and

media to promote the idea. Encourage schools to incorporate VG material

and concepts into curriculum.

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Great Resources Just A Click Away!

www.revivevictorygarden.org www.futurefarmers.com/victorygardens/ www.victorygardendrive.blogspot.com www.kitchengardeners.org/ www.squarefootgardening.com/ www.gardens.si.edu/horticulture/gardens/nmah/

victory.htm www.fenwayvictorygardens.com

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For more information:

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