Growing a New Food System

A band of hundreds will take to their gardens May 28, for the "Victory Garden Blitz," encouraging local communities to look beyond the produce aisle and into their own yards.

Urban gardening means much more than just growing your own food for Gretchen Mead, director of The Victory Garden Initiative and Shorewood resident, it's about sustainability and being self-sufficient.

For those frustrated by rising food prices, growing your own food is a sustainable solution, that benefits families, neighbors and communities at large, Mead said.

Gardening can provide $600-$800 worth of produce in one year, depending on what you grow. It can combat rising food prices and a vulnerable food system that will eventually collapse due to reliance on oil, she said.

The Victory Garden Initiative engages people in creating a new food system by providing them with the means to build gardens in their homes, schools and communities.

And, it all began in Mead's front yard in Shorewood nearly three years ago.

"We had started to form a group of Victory Gardeners and many people were putting in gardens in their front yards," she said. "This became uncomfortable for the village because they weren’t sure they wanted people growing food in front yards."

In no time at all and it became national news Mead said. The village started to discuss implementation of an ordinance to prohibiting front-yard gardening.

"Several people formed a committee to respond to the potential new ordinance," she said. "We worked with the village for months and the result was that front yard food growing is allowed."

There are currently about 20 victory gardens in Shorewood.

During the third annual Blitz this May, over 100 volunteers all over Milwaukee will install 4X8 foot raised beds with organic soil for $125 each, or 2 beds for $200. The compost is made from organic residuals, turning waste back into food. Last year, VGI installed 100 gardens and looks to meet that goal again; they are still seeking volunteers for gardens.

After the gardens are installed, people can begin planting right away. For beginners, VGI is starting a new educational series. The first class, “Edible gardening for sustainability,” is on May 7 at the Urban Ecology Center and costs just $12  ($10 for UEC members.)

“Don’t wait to have all the information before you start (gardening)," she said. "It’s an intuitive process. Have a prepared mind, start doing it and you’ll see what the books are all about."

The Blitz aims to “get people to decide, ‘I'm going to involve myself in the act of changing the food system. I don’t want my food to come from 1500 miles away and processed. I want my food to be local and healthy. I can start that change’” Mead said.

“We’re so far removed, we don’t even know where the food comes from,” she said. “Gardening grows awareness of what it means to grow food. It gives access people without the budget for fresh fruit and vegetables.”

Mead explained the many ways victory gardens help families and communities.

“Every neighborhood needs at least one garden in the front yard,” she said.

Gardens bring people together; neighbors ask about the gardens, help out and share food. Children learn about the cycle of life first-hand, and growing their own veggies make them much more excited to eat them. Gardening fosters physical and mental health, and builds relationships she said.

“It lends for more peaceful communities,” Mead said, explaining that gardening communities tend to have more respect for animals and waterways and litter less.

For those without the space for their own gardens, VGI has two community gardens. And, those who don’t think they have the time for gardening, Mead points out that it’s a matter of choice to “buffer the collapse of the food system by filling in the gaps, or say we’re busy because Desperate Housewives is on.”

In the past, victory gardens have been a community effort in times of war. While the spirit of unity and self-sufficiency hasn’t changed, VGI has refocused to create its own war; a war on apathy and a vulnerable corporate food system, which relies on oil and other natural resources.

“Apathy comes when problems seem too big," she said. "When people get engaged, it can build hope. When others see you doing it, they get inspired. They don’t feel like they’re alone in wanting change.”

For more information on victory gardens and how to get involved visit http://www.victorygardeninitiative.org/.