In direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell C. Redding stated that “there is an increased demand for locally grown food.” Redding also encouraged Pennsylvanians to start victory gardens. Now that’s a blast from the past! Victory gardens or war gardens were planted during WWI and WWII. Vacant lots, backyards, rooftops and other available spaces were converted into food gardens in the United States. The public is encouraged to plant gardens again.
What could be more local than harvesting food from your ownbackyard? What could be fresher than walking outside and picking your own tomatoes, radishes, lettuce, greens, or squash and preparing them right at home?
If you’re thinking that gardening is hard, time consuming and expensive, well think again. There are inexpensive ways to grow food starting from planting in the soil to growing in pots. You basically only need 4 things to start a garden. Good soil, sun, seed and of course water. As in life, it helps to have a good
foundation of family and community to be successful. The plants foundation is good soil. Healthy soil will produce a healthy plant in the same way a healthy community will produce a healthy person capable of dealing with all of the challenges that will come their way. There is also a spiritual component to
growing your own food that not only feeds your body but your soul. It is my hope that URBANAGWORKS will provide you with the inspiration to grow your own food.