The Ventura County Star on Sunday ran a lengthy op-ed piece by UCCE advisor emeritus Daniel Desmond and horticulture and 4-H advisor Rose Hayden-Smith with a headline that begs for explanation: "Food will win the war."
The story gives a historical perspective on gardening's past ties to patriotism and makes that case that today, in light of high food and fuel prices and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, it's time again to pick up a hoe for the homeland.
"During both world wars, food was vital to national security. To protect our country, Uncle Sam called on Americans to garden, and they did, in record numbers," the authors wrote.
Desmond and Hayden-Smith suggest how gardening can once again become a national initiative.
"We believe that the federal government should immediately allocate Homeland Security funds to promote school, home and community gardening efforts on a nationwide basis," they wrote.
What can ordinary Americans do?
-
Suggest your school or community develop a garden and volunteer to help with the effort
-
Find a spot of earth or a container and plant something edible
-
Buy from local farmers and producers
- Visit a farmers market
- Write to your elected officials
These ideas will certainly result in more active and better fed Americans, and maybe it will even win the war.