National Community Gardening Week - August 23 - 29, 2009

by: Elizabeth Sedway, Famplosion.com

U.S. Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, proclaimed August 23 through 29, 'National Community Gardening Week'. Echoing our affinity for family togetherness, Secretary Vilsack points out,

Community gardens provide numerous benefits including opportunities for local food production, resource conservation, and neighborhood beautification," said Vilsack. "But they also promote family and community interaction and enhance opportunities to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Each of these benefits is something we can and should strive for.

We were delighted to discover thousands of community gardens throughout the Uniteds States. From thriving urban patches to alpine gardens, we've featured some of these wonderful family gardening spots on Famplosion.com.

In New York City, the Department of Parks and Recreation claims to have 'the largest community gardening program in the country', with over 600 gardens serving 20,000 people. Among the many organized programs featured in the community gardens of New York is a block party taking place on August 29th.

In Nashville, the Davidson County Parks & Recreation offers a flourishing program called 'GROW Nashville'. Nashville community gardens, including the East Children's Community Garden, are a great way for neighbors to work outside together and grow healthy food. Community gardens build friendships and bring fresh food to the city.

Atlanta's West End features the Rose Circle Community Garden. Once a vacant field overgrown with kudzu, this land has been transformed to include raised garden beds, where neighborhood families can grow fresh organic food for their tables.

In Salt Lake City, Wasatch Community Gardens has served the Salt Lake County community for 20 years. Their mission is to empower people of all ages and incomes to grow and eat healthy, organic, local food. Thousands of local kids benefit from their youth programs each year. A one half acre community garden on the southside of Salt Lake City, humerously named the 'Grateful Tomato Garden', grows an impressive variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year.

Alemany Farms, in San Francisco, is a 4.5 acre working organic farm, collaboratively managed by volunteers, San Francisco city officials, and residents of the Alemany community. Volunteers oversee organic food production at the site, offer workshops and educational courses, manage a free neighborhood produce delivery, and hosts field trips for children and adults.

California, as you might expect, is teaming with community gardens. In Palo Alto, locals have enjoyed their main community garden since 1970. Lake Tahoe features a number of community gardens, including those at the Rideout Community Center, that host summer camps and local gardeners during the warmer months of the year. At Santa Monica's Main Street Community Garden local residents cultivate 65 plots of organic fruits, vegetables and flowers.