| Save the Planet, Eat Healthy, Plant a Garden! Essay by Neil Moran Even before the economic “tsunami” in this country occurred, more and more folks were planting vegetable gardens, as reported by the Garden Writer’s Association of America’s Garden Trends report. Since the economy turned sour, we’re hearing even more about how we should be growing gardens. However, now there are even more reasons to grow a vegetable garden: save money, eat whole foods that don’t contain pesticides and all that goes along with packaging food, and last but certainly not least, to save the planet. Save the planet? Yes. By growing our own food locally we save on all that fossil fuel used to truck our food to our kitchen tables. Did you know that Atlantic salmon harvested in Alaska is sent to China to be filleted and then shipped back to the U.S. and other markets? Our veggies get similar treatment. That’s a lot of fossil fuel. In a recent article I read in the Sault Evening News (Save the World by Changing Your Diet, 10-22-2008), it mentioned that State Senator David Koehler, D-Peoria, is trying to set up a task force that would recognize the environmental and economic importance of growing locally. Interesting. Something that used to occur just naturally on large and small farms so we could eat and make a living now needs a task force. Still, I’m glad they are forming such a committee because it is another indication that a trend is occurring that will create more jobs in the U.S. and provide better food to our citizens. A well known journalist who writes on issues of food, gardening, botany and farming, Michael Pollan has suggested the next president set up a Whitehouse garden guru, or some such thing. The idea, which seems amusing at first, but then when you think of it is right on, is to have the Whitehouse grow a big vegetable garden and start promoting eating healthy, local grown foods. If the president did it would set a good example for our fast food eaters. Gardens might stop popping up everywhere, just like the Victory Gardens during World War Two. Then we could help fix the economy by creating local jobs, eat better, (and reduce health care costs), and yes, save the planet! And here you thought you were just growing a few fresh veggies. Happy gardening! |
