Return of the Victory Garden
The victory garden or home garden was something that was highly popular during World War I and II. People would grow their own produce to help with the local food supply and to ease pressure on the local economy. At that time, almost one third of vegetable that were produced in the United States came from people’s home gardening (Wikipedia.org). Since then, there has been a massive decrease in the home garden. Store bought produce had become common place and as a result people have stopped growing their own food. However, by encouraging home gardening, communities can have sustainable, more nutritious produce readily available.
Home grown fruits and vegetables is the freshest produce that you can possibly eat. Along with that it is also the healthiest (Harding). Produce begins to lose nutrients as soon as they are picked. When you consider the time that elapses from when they are harvest until they get to the distribution center, and then travel to the grocery store they have already lost a great deal of their nutritional value. That value continues to deteriorate as they sit on the grocery store shelf. However, produce grown at home is literally fresh from the garden. Therefore, your own fruits and vegetables will be full of vital nutrients and better tasting.
Produce from a home garden will be more organic than anything you can find at the grocery store. Organic produce is grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers (recycleworks.org). Large farms that supply most grocery stores do not use organic methods. They spray their fields and crops with a variety of chemicals that get absorbed by the produce and into the ground. Thus, every time you get your produce from the s...
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...ere has been a rise in the interest of gardening (Wikipedia.org). Home gardens provide people with the freshest and best tasting fruits and vegetables. It encourages healthy eating habits, especially in children, by teaching them how to grow their own food. The produce is better for you by cutting out all of the harsh chemicals used on commercial farms. Also, it’s better for them environment by cutting down on fossil fuel use and carbon emissions. All people should celebrate the return of the victory garden.
Works Cited
Cromell, Cathy. Composting for Dummies. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing, 2010. Print.
Harding, Anne. health.com/health/article/0,,20507878,00.html. 5 July 2011. Web. 30 April 2014. recycleworks.org/compost/sustainable_gardening.html. 2014. Web. 30 April 2014. wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_garden. 5 April 2014. Web. 30 April 2014.
After the Revolutionary War, Washington was sick of seeing bloodshed and wounded soldiers; he missed the philosophical retreat of his home in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the commander-in-chief saw the future of America as a country peopled not by soldiers but by farmers - an agrarian society that would be industrious and happy” (Wulf, 16). As a soldier, Washington fulfilled his duty to his country but as this quote clearly conveys, Washington idealized an agrarian society for the future of America’s economy. Washington believed that an agricultural society was vital to a nation that sought to define a national identity and was much more than just a profitable endeavor at the time. According to Wulf, “ploughing, planting and vegetable gardening were more than profitable and enjoyable occupations: they were political acts, bringing freedom and independence” (Wulf, 10). As a new nation, the success of an agrarian society was much more than a source of income; it was a political statement towards Britain. After the Revolutionary War, Washington and the rest of America had a great deal of pride for their nation, as demonstrated by his garden in Mount Vernon. According to Wulf, “the plants were American and that was all that counted because this part of the garden celebrated America” (Wulf, 26). When constructing his garden, Washington would only plant native species because his garden celebrated America’s success in the Revolutionary War and symbolized a nation that was
The 1920’s were the singularly most influential years of farming in our country. The loss of farms following the war, and new agricultural practices resulted in the dawn of modern agriculture in our country. The shift from small family to big corporation during this time is now the basis for how our society deals with food today. Traditional farming in the 1920’s underwent a series of massive transitions following WWI as the number of farms decreased and the size of farms increased.
Organic refers to the way agricultural products, food and fiber, are grown and processed. “It is an ecological system that at its core relies on a healthy rich soil to produce strong plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of more “earth-friendly” practices that work in harmony with nature. In the case of livestock, antibiotics are prohibited, opting instead for preventative measures for keeping animals healthy and productive. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s).” (Ameriorganic) To find organic products one must only look for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seal. The seal certifies the product must be 95%
It is true that growing foods on a farm show that there 's no bad “chemicals” added in the food which starts all out as seeds. If only it weren’t for the fact that again, college students just don’t have time. Along with that, some students live alone in an apartment complex and, I’m sure not too many apartments have an outside area big enough for a private garden. As a college student myself, I find it easier just going to the grocery stores and farmer’s markets to get my food; then again, I still live with my parents and they pay for the groceries. Thankfully, I don’t have to travel to the real farms to get farm-fresh produce; the food comes to local places like the hospital and downtown on certain dates. I suppose a tip for college students; in reality, traveling to the grocery store is easier because it’s a once-per-week-deal while keeping watch over a garden is an every-day-deal and students have things to keep up
“Locally grown produce is fresher. While produce that is purchased in the supermarket or a big-box store has been in transit or cold-stored for days or weeks, produce that you purchase at your local farmer's market has often been picked within 24 hours of your purchase.” (Source A, Maiser). Fresh produce is healthier and promotes better eating. With a wide variety of specialty produce, eating can become an even more enjoyable experience. Due to a lack of chemicals such as hormones and pesticides, local produce tastes superior to store bought, mass produced foods. A large locavoric movement will promote the lifestyle and even has the potential to interest children in healthy local
What do you think when you hear the words grocery store? Do you visualize perfect fruit and vegetable fillings the aisles? This is concept that many consumers have come to know. What many consumers do not realize is this is not ideal. These were my same thoughts before I started volunteering at a Farmers Market. These markets offer an array of benefits. As a consumer at a Farmers Market you are not only supporting local growers, but also reducing your environmental foot print, and diminishing the idea of perfect produce.
Steven Shapin is an expert when it comes to telling people the reality of the situation. In his, article “What Are You Buying When You Buy Organic?” Shapin exposes and explains the truth behind the word organic. He explains that our view on organic is not a reality. The small farms that we picture in our heads are really just big business in disguise and these big businesses are trying to do good by supposedly not using harmful pesticides. Which are supposed to not damage the environment but in reality they are probably not making any sort of difference. Some people care about the environment, while others are buying taste when it comes to organic food but using different pesticides are going to help the taste, only freshness tastes the best.
Meadows, H, Donella.. "Our food, our future." Organic Gardening. 01 Sep. 2000: 53. eLibrary. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.
The history of community gardens reaches back to the 1800's in urban areas; they were started for many reasons that remain the same today. Community gardens were started to promote social reform, educational benefits, and for city beautification projects. The early community gardens were used as a way to assist the unemployed and educate youth in the area on the importance of hard work and good eating habits. With the onset of WWI the United
Trends of moving toward supporting local food producers have increased over the years. People are looking for quality over quantity. “With the explosion of interest in local food, consumers now have more choices of products, labels, and ways to shop, so, many people are left wondering where to start” (Table, 2009). Buying locally supports sustainable food system, beyond just methods of food production and helps to increase food from farm to plate. Supporting locally drastically helps with the reduction of emissions and the negative effect that food traveling has on our environment.
For years organic farmers and conventional farmers have feuded over which is superior. Organic farmers argue that their product is more eco-friendly because they do not use the synthetic chemicals and fertilizers conventional farmer’s use. Conventional farmers argue that their product is healthier and yields more. People tend to have stereotypes regarding the two types of farmers. Organic farmers are usually thought of as liberal, hippy, tree-huggers while conventional farmers are usually thought of as right-wing, industrialists. Obviously, some do adhere to this stereotype, but a majority of these farmers are normal, hardworking people. Although these farmers, both believe in their methods, one is no better than the other. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but there is no true superior method of crop farming.
Sup Point B: Organic food is different from conventional food in several ways. Organic food uses natural resources like manure and compost in to enrich the soil where food is being grown. Any form of chemicals such as pesticides are not permitted to be used in any form. Organic farmers use crop rotation to preserve the soil. Organic farmersdo not ...
Transition: We all know that save money is a major benefit for, but that is not all that gardening can do.
Envision a farm with an abundance of animals and crops. The farm that most likely comes to mind is not one of giant machinery and smokestacks of pollution, but a vision of the old red barn and cows grazing freely. Sadly, these types of farms are mostly gone in the United States. These ‘family farms’ are being replaced every day by bigger, more industrialized farms. It is sad to see such a staple of the American culture being washed away by a type of farm that is being used purely for economic reasons. Family farming is slowly disappearing from the American landscape. We, as Americans, need to realize the importance of family farming because it produces high quality foods and helps economically for the local community.
Organic food is food that is grown without any pesticide or fertilizers. In recent years, sales for organic foods are increasing every year. A lot of people go to supermarkets in order to buy some organic foods, because they think that organic foods are healthier than conventional foods. People purchase organic foods for different reasons such as personal health, the quality of organic foods, and taste, but the most important reason is personal health. The topic that whether organic foods have more benefits or not is very controversial for a long time. Maybe some people believe that organic foods are beneficial to human health, but some other people disagree with the viewpoint, so buying organic foods depend on people’s choices. People believe organic foods are healthier because they generally think organic foods have less pesticide and fertilizer residue, more nutritional values, and are beneficial to environment.