Diggin’ Deep(er) to

Move Us All Forward:

Toward a Nationwide
Victory Garden Revival

Slideshow courtesy of
RedWhiteandGrew.com
The Victory Garden (VG) Movement

 Began in WWI, as part of war effort

Initially overseen by the National War Garden
Commission
Over 3 million gardens were created across the
country, in all settings
First “war garden” was at Camp Dix, New
Jersey
 Over 400 acres to serve 48,000 troops

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 Promoting the Concept Nationwide

Image source: National Archives; images are in public domain. RedWhiteandGrew.com

WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Food waste is the enemy, food

thrift the battle cry, and food
conservation the weapon. The
call to arms is urgent and
involves every household in
America…”
- Charles L. Pack, Pres.
Nat. War Garden
Commission

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WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Everyone who creates or

cultivates a garden helps…This
is the time for America to correct
her unpardonable fault of
wastefulness and extravagance.”
- Pres. Woodrow Wilson

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WWII-Era VG Movement

 Promoted by the Government, the project

targeted urban and rural areas
 Small home and community gardens allowed for: food
from larger farms to be sent to troops; supplement of
civilian rations; less fuel for food transport
 At the end of the war, VGs accounted for
est. 40% of total US produce
 As with WWI, gardens came in all shapes
and sizes, private and community
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WWII-Era VG/Food Propaganda

Image source: New Hampshire State Library; images are in public domain.

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After WWII…

 With the troops at home, commercial

gardens could return to producing solely
for the public
 Economic prosperity meant that many
gardens were abandoned
 A few original gardens still exist (Fenway in Boston)
 In Chicago, Peterson Garden is being “revived”

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Recent, Relevant Developments
 Several web sites, blogs, articles and op-ed
pieces have popped up nationwide promoting
the idea of a VG revival
 The Smithsonian recently recreated a VG in
Washington based on a 1940s pamphlet
 The city of San Francisco has launched a
community-wide VG effort; other major cities are
interested
 Sources: The Associated Press; Smithsonian web site

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Impetuses behind a VG Revival

 General interest in gardening as a hobby

 Concerns about climate change, fuel/food
scarcity, national security,economic
challenges, locavore/slow food
movements
 The Internet as a means of promoting the
basic idea as viable again
 Practical, healthy and…fun!
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“Hidden” VG Benefits
 VGs can:
Foster self-reliance
Promote healthy eating
 Especially when organic practices are used
Encourage physical activity
Cultivate community
Nurture wildlife
 Including bees, which are struggling
Increase overall well-being

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YOU Can Promote the VG Revival:
 Grow a garden…in a plot or in a pot!
 Educate yourself and others on the history of the
movement.
 Consider creating groups (Meet Up) or incorporating VG
projects into existing organizational efforts
 Encourage local/regional/national leaders and
media to promote the idea.
 Encourage schools to incorporate VG material
and concepts into curriculum.

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 For more information:
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Twitter: @RedWhiteandGrew
Facebook.com/RedWhiteandGrew
Slideshow courtesy of
RedWhiteandGrew.com