Sapna is as an infectious disease
doctor who travels around the world responding to TB outbreaks. She happens to
be getting married over Memorial Day weekend.
But, before she takes her vows, she and her wedding party are spending
their Saturday building raised beds for the Third Annual Great Milwaukee
Victory Garden Blitz.
If you ask me, it’s the perfect way for a couple to begin their
new life together – getting their hands dirty while assisting others in their
community to experience the joy and wonder of – not only observing the miracle of
new life in the garden – but also the wonder producing food in their very own
backyards.
Gretchen Mead started the Victory Garden project based on
her desire to make an impact on the Milwaukee community.
“I was interested in so many social and environmental issues
that I was pulled in many different directions,” she commented, “When I
consider environmental, social justice, family and community, health, economy,
and even the long-term survival of the human race I can find a dense
intersection where this resurging victory garden movement offers a solution.”
And the Victory Garden Initiative is making a real difference. During last year’s blitz alone, nearly 150 volunteers installed 100 gardens around the Milwaukee area. And, thanks to the education provided by the Initiative, new urban community gardens are popping up all over.
Urban gardening is an amazingly simple concept. A little dirt, some water, a bit of sun, and
some patience are all it takes to grow an amazing array of summer
vegetables. Even here in Wisconsin,
where the growing season is somewhat short, urban gardeners can reap the
benefits of true farm-to-table eating.
Nothing tastes better than that first warm, sun-ripened
tomato of summer. Or those snappy sweet
green beans, picked right off the vine.
Or how about all the money you’ll save when you grow your own basil,
dill, and rosemary?
Your cooking never tasted so good.
Gardens are powerful things. The mere act of sowing seeds
and harvesting fruit is a powerful way to reawaken the relationship between
human beings and their food supply, and assist the community in building an
environmentally and socially just food system.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your shovel and register for the Victory
Garden Blitz on Saturday, May 28th.
It’s real change – one garden at
a time.
How to get involved:
1)
Have
a garden installed in your yard. ($125 = 4X8 foot raised bed with organic
soil)
2)
Sign up to volunteer (alone or with a group) and help
install gardens throughout the city.
3)
Sponsor a raised
garden bed for someone you think could benefit
For more information, visit www.victorygardeninitiative.org
