Michelle Obama Advocates Community “Peoples Gardens”Michelle Obama Advocates Community “Peoples Gardens”
The First Lady continued her “thank you” tour at the USDA yesterday, delivering encouraging remarks supporting the President’s stimulus package and recognizing the dedication of civil service “workers who have dedicated their lifetimes to working on behalf of the issues that are so important to this nation.” She also took time to recognize a new program implemented by Secretary Vilsack on Lincoln’s Birthday, a series of “People’s Gardens” that will be located at every USDA office in the world. Lincoln often spoke of agriculture as the example of the benefit of both education and labor, and created “The People’s Department”, the Department of Agriculture, in 1862 to be of direct benefit to rural Americans.
The USDA community garden project will offer innovative gardening techniques for the people, whether in traditional rural backyards or inner city roof tops. “The gardens will be designed to promote “going green” concepts, including landscaping and building design to retain water and reduce runoff; roof gardens for energy efficiency; utilizing native plantings and using sound conservation practices.”
Secretary Vilsack broke “pavement” at the Washington D.C. location which began the project of converting 1,250 square feet back to grass.
Mrs. Obama offered her personal support and the White House contribution in yesterday’s ceremony.
“It’s a very good thing–and, kicking off this effort to build these gardens all over the world, in all the facilities of the USDA, because I’m a big believer in community gardens, both because of their beauty and for their access to providing fresh fruits and vegetables to so many communities across this nation and the world.
So to help kick this effort off, I’ve brought a little gift to get this garden going. It’s right here in this pot.
It is a seedling. It will be beautiful one day.
But right now it’s a seedling. And it’s a special seedling because it comes from the Jackson magnolia tree. And the Jackson magnolia tree sits on the south portico of the White House. And it’s a special tree because it was planted by President Jackson in honor of his wife Rachel who passed right before they moved into the White House.”