Victory Garden PPT Presentation

Slideshow courtesy of redwhiteandgrew.blogspot.com

Diggin’ Deep(er) to Move Us All Forward:

Toward a Nationwide

Victory Garden Revival

redwhiteandgrew.blogspot.com

The Victory Garden (VG) Movement

Began in WWI, as part of war effort Initially overseen by the National War Garden

Commission Over 3 million gardens were created across the

country, in all settings First “war garden” was at Camp Dix, New

Jersey Over 400 acres to serve 48,000 troops


Promoting the Concept Nationwide

Image source: National Archives; images are in public domain.


WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Food waste is the enemy, food thrift the battle cry, and food conservation the weapon. The call to arms is urgent and involves every household in America…”

- Charles L. Pack, Pres.Nat. War Garden Commission


WWI-Era VG Quotes

“Everyone who creates or cultivates a garden helps…This is the time for America to correct her unpardonable fault of wastefulness and extravagance.”

- Pres. Woodrow Wilson


WWII-Era VG Movement

Promoted by the Government, the project targeted urban and rural areas Small home and community gardens allowed for: food

from larger farms to be sent to troops; supplement of civilian rations; less fuel for food transport

At the end of the war, VGs accounted for 40% of total US produce

As with WWI, gardens came in all shapes and sizes, private and community


WWII-Era VG/Food Propaganda

Image source: New Hampshire State Library; images are in public domain.


After WWII…

With the troops at home, commercial gardens could return to producing solely for the public

Economic prosperity meant that many gardens were abandoned A few original gardens still exist (Fenway in Boston)


Recent, Relevant Developments

Several web sites, blogs, articles and op-ed pieces have popped up nationwide promoting the idea of a VG revival

The Smithsonian recently recreated a VG in Washington based on a 1940s pamphlet

The city of San Francisco has launched a community-wide VG effort; other major cities are interested

Sources: The Associated Press; Smithsonian web site


Impetuses behind a VG Revival

General interest in gardening as a hobbyConcerns about climate change, fuel/food

scarcity, national security,economic challenges, locavore/slow food movements

The Internet as a means of promoting the basic idea as viable again

Practical, healthy and…fun!


“Hidden” VG Benefits

VGs can: Foster self-reliance Promote healthy eating

Especially when organic practices are used Encourage physical activity Cultivate community Nurture wildlife

Including bees, which are struggling Increase overall well-being


YOU Can Promote the VG Revival:

Grow a garden…in a plot or in a pot! Educate yourself and others on the history of the

movement. Consider creating groups (Meet Up) or incorporating VG

projects into existing organizational efforts Encourage local/regional/national leaders and

media to promote the idea. Encourage schools to incorporate VG material

and concepts into curriculum.


Great Resources Just A Click Away!

www.revivevictorygarden.org www.futurefarmers.com/victorygardens/ www.victorygardendrive.blogspot.com www.kitchengardeners.org/ www.squarefootgardening.com/ www.gardens.si.edu/horticulture/gardens/nmah/

victory.htm www.fenwayvictorygardens.com

Slideshow courtesy of redwhiteandgrew.blogspot.com

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Victory Garden PPT Presentation