Michelle Obama set the precedent last year on the south lawn of the White House and now it seems many are inspired to follow suit—growing fresh, local food in non-traditional spaces.
Here are just a couple of fine examples I’ve stumbled upon recently during my Midwestern wanderings.
Once reserved for the likes of hot pink petunias and sunshiny marigolds, this urban vegetable plot sits in the shadow of Wisconsin’s state capital—right in the heart of Madison’s vibrant downtown.
The garden was designed and installed this spring by Madison FarmWorks, a local business that “combines the professional skills of farming with the small scale beauty of the home garden to help you produce local food right where you are.”
Encouraging cheeseheads to think beyond the brat (I can say that because I used to live there), it’s a great demonstration of the variety of vegetables that can be grown in a small scale garden.
Back in Indiana, the Minnetrista Cultural Center in Muncie recently opened a new exhibit to celebrate the role of woman in preserving history.
Last fall I made great strides in my battle against pressurecookerphobia and successfully canned a healthy supply of sauces, salsas and vegetables for the winter. (And by successful I mean I successfully avoided death.) In the process, I became fascinated with the history of the Victory Garden, the propaganda campaign, and the women who took on this “war job.” Needless to say, I was excited to discover this living museum.
She Can Make A Difference! is described as:
“an interactive exploration of the power of the woman to make a difference in her family, community, and the nation through the lens of the Ball jar, gardening, and canning.”
“The garden here serves as a tangible reminder of the countless women who planted, tended, harvested, and preserved produce to preserve their family and community.”
A worthy little side note is that Minnetrista is part of the family legacy of Ball Brothers Glass Company—you may have heard of their canning jars.
Naturally, the indoor museum exhibit is accompanied by a live outdoor Victory Garden. Edibles spill from large containers and narrow beds of vegetables line the border of a brick courtyard.
As someone who vividly remembers the long linear rows of my grandmother’s garden, I’d consider this to be a modern interpretation of the Victory Garden, demonstrating to us 21st ladies (who may have not have a “back forty”) that we too can grow a variety of vegetables in our small or confined spaces.
So if you’re still not convinced that you can start a vegetable garden just about anywhere, READ THIS. A manufacturer in Michigan is capturing heat from his forging operation to grow produce year-round in a greenhouse on the company’s roof. Awesome!
