Thanks to the Buckeye ISA Program, the results of Victory Garden style programs has been recorded and shared.
The Path to Victory
A hyper local opportunity
Victory Gardens are not a new concept.
They became most popular in World War I in North America and Europe to provide food for the war effort as well as take the pressure off the country’s own food supply to its people. Providing activity and sustenance for towns and communities, it was also considered a morale booster - a way for the whole country to feel they were helping further the path to victory.
Benefits for All
Growing your own food is proven to give so many benefits. Not only do you increase your mood levels, increase physical activity, get a vitamin boost from being outside and in good soil, you also get to choose what you grow, what pesticides and fertilizers goes into the earth and when to harvest (lots of store bought items are harvested too early missing out on essential nutrients!).
You also save money and help the environment by cutting down on your carbon footprint (think about the trucks that drive across country to bring produce to grocery stores). Plus, you can preserve food, save seeds, and share with your neighbors!
Food Justice
The World Health Organization states that food security is achieved when “all people at all times have access to sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life.” But there are so many neighborhoods that are food insecure and find it difficult to access food for a variety of reasons such as poverty, unreliable methods of transport, and education.
At Franklinton Farms, not only do we encourage our neighbors to grow their own food by showing them how it can be done in an urban setting, we also work with households to mentor them in their own Victory Gardens.
With the help of donors this year (Ingram White Castle Foundation and the Buckeye ISA through OSU Extension) we were able to provide Franklinton families with raised beds, help building them, tools, seeds, plant starts as well as year-round mentorship.
This time our war is on food insecurity and the path to victory is in connection – connecting seed to soil, farm to table, and neighbor to neighbor.
Ask us how you can get involved, we’re excited to help you grow!