USDA opens People’s Garden Initiative to gardens nationwide
It’s named for the “People’s Department,” former President Abraham Lincoln’s nickname for USDA, which was established during his presidency in 1862.
United States Department of Agriculture, Press Release
Sept 15, 2022
Excerpt:
School gardens, community gardens, urban farms and small-scale agriculture projects in rural, suburban and urban areas can be recognized as a “People’s Garden” if they register on the USDA website and meet criteria including benefitting the community, working collaboratively, incorporating conservation practices and educating the public.
Affiliate People’s Garden locations will be indicated on a map on the USDA website, featured in USDA communications and provided with a People’s Garden sign.
“We welcome gardens nationwide to join us in the People’s Garden effort and all it represents,” said John Wilson, NRCS State Conservationist for Ohio. “Local gardens across the country share USDA’s goals of building more diversified and resilient local food systems, empowering communities to come together around expanding access to healthy food, addressing climate change and advancing equity.”
A People’s Garden site opened earlier this month in Cleveland. The Concerned Citizens Community Council, led by Marion Gardner, works to serve the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood residents as a certified emergency food pantry for crisis situations, supplying fresh food, clothing and local resources to residents in need. The People’s Garden will be used to expand on that mission at the Cleveland site — supporting local food production, offering healthy nutrition and providing education on food cultivation and preparation.
