It wasn’t that long ago that 40% of our nations food came from our citizen garden’s from the back and front yards in the neighborhoods.  It was after World War II Americans started to purchase more and more from the grocery stores and less and less from the neighborhood farms.  At the same time we decided it was more trouble to grow our own produce than to buy.

Through the years America has become more and more dependent upon produce that has been shipped in from other countries.  We never anticipated that it would come with such a large price tag. 

The price of oil and gas has led to one of the largest increases in food prices in our nation’s history.  Couple this price increase with the lowest FDA standards we’ve ever had and you have the perfect storm brewing.  Food prices soar and diseases not being tested for and lives being lost.

However, this is not about doom and gloom; it is about hope for the future of our country for this is something we can stop rather easily.  It will take some reprogramming, some dirt and seeds and a little work and water but together, we can do it.

The fact is that there are a lot of Americans right now taking their food situation back into their own hands and making a difference.  They are planting gardens, putting up greenhouses, putting in raised beds for herbs and essentially saying, “I’m growing my own”.

There are many ways to start; you just have to get going.  The internet is a great place to do some research.  You can get some great books at your public library, online at your favorite garden or greenhouse store.  Investing in a small greenhouse to winter cold growing vegetables and supplement with produce that is grown in your area.

Another way you can benefit is by volunteering at your local senior citizen home or girls and boys club to help them establish a garden or greenhouse to feed those at the centers.  Encourage your local restaurants to buy from local farmers to avoid trucking in produce from other areas.  Ask when you walk in if they buy local or not and let them know you prefer to eat where local farmers are supported.

If you live in an apartment building, find out if they will let you start a community garden on some land for families that live in the apartments or volunteer to head up the garden in they will purchase a greenhouse.  They might say no but you don’t know that for sure if you don’t ask.  Also, there is a growing movement to establish large greenhouses on the roofs of inner skyscrapers and they are currently doing it in New York City.

If you can find a shell or old barn that still has a good frame to it, there are many ways to cover the frame and make it a great working greenhouse.  Old sheds or garages can be converted or you can build one.  There are many ways to grow your own food and help feed your family and those around you.

After all, when times get tough, Americans do the right things.  During World War II even the White House had the Victory Garden.  This is where the produce and flowers for the White House during that time were grown.  Maybe we should petition the White House to start a Freedom Garden to symbolize Americans breaking free from the high prices of food and gas.

It’s organic, green and sustainable.  What are you waiting for?