Michelle's Garden

Welcome to Michelle's Garden.

We have developed a website that highlights Michelle Obama's efforts on the White house Kitchen Garden. We are very excited that the new administration has embraced organic gardening. The site includes links to blogs, news, images, video, and the White house Garden Layout itself.

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In an effort to reduce the strain on the food supply that was created during WWII, gardens were planted at private residences. During that time, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt had a garden planted at the White House which became known as the Victory Garden. The Victory Garden was a symbol of what each individual could do to support the community and the nation during a time of crisis. Years have passed since the victory gardens or war gardens were planted and, although during the Carter administration there were some vegetables grown in pots at the White House, no other efforts have been made to rekindle the spirit of the Victory Garden until today.

Today our nation is in a crisis. Our economy is suffering under the strain of supporting a war effort. The cost of food continues to rise along with the price of oil. Obesity in our nation is at an all time high while the quality and safety of our food supply is called in to question. Parents across the nation are faced everyday with the choice of purchasing food for their children that is unhealthy yet cheap or trying to stretch their budgets in order to provide a healthy alternative. One person has offered her own garden as an example for others to follow.

Michelle Obama, current First Lady and mother of two, has decided to plant an organic garden at the White House in an effort to educate not only her own children but the children of the United States about the importance of healthy eating and the benefits of gardening. Gardening helps children and adults alike by increasing their activity. In other words, people getting off the couch and in to the garden planting, digging and pulling weeds actually counts as exercise. Exercise helps to reduce obesity in children and adults which in turn leads to a longer more productive life. Gardening also helps reduce depression and other mood disorders. Simply by creating and growing a garden one can become a happier and more satisfied individual.

Then there is the produce. Unlike the pesticide-filled and tasteless varieties found in most produce departments across the nation, fresh fruits and vegetables encourage the gardener to eat them by simply tasting great. Even a small garden can produce enough to ease the financial burden in many households today and, in communities that work together, the produce can be shared. If one is concerned about the environment, planting an organic garden helps to reduce the amount of pesticides consumed and their possible side effects on human health and the world.

Children who plant an organic garden will learn more about how food in our country is produced and the work that goes in to farming and producing crops. Today, most children have no idea how vegetables and fruit get to the dinner table. By showing them the actual process, it helps them to connect to the earth and to those who work to feed our nation.

One might think that gardening is limited to only those who have a yard. This is simply not so. Container gardens have gained popularity and are well-suited to city life. Whether the desired product shall be consumed or simply enjoyed visually, such as wild flowers, there are several varieties that thrive in containers. Carrots and tomatoes, for example, or a simple herb garden will do well in relatively small pots. Urban dwellers simply need to be creative and flexible when considering a garden.

Michelle's garden, therefore, is so much more than just a vegetable garden. It promotes the good health and education of our children and provides a much needed alternative to help ease the financial burdens of American families. Michelle's garden is, truly, a Victory Garden.