Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn

[Guest guest]

I hope this encourages others to do the same.

 

anouk

 

 

 

March 19, 2009

Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden

By MARIAN BURROS

WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White

House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's

victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn't

like them) but arugula will make the cut.

 

While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and

formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate

children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when

obesity has become a national concern.

 

In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, " My hope is that through

children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn,

begin to educate our communities. "

 

Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will

help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to

passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the Obama girls' swing set.) Students

from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant,

harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.

 

Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds,

" whether they like it or not, " Mrs. Obama said laughing. " Now Grandma, my mom, I

don't know. " Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: " Isn't that

lovely. You missed a spot. "

 

Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than a matter of

landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental symbolism as the Obamas

have been lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food

locally could lead to healthier eating and lessen reliance on huge industrial

farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.

 

In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of Mrs.

Obama's agenda.

 

" The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message

about eating healthy and more delicious food, " said Dan Barber, an owner of Blue

Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., an organic restaurant that grows

many of its own ingredients. " I don't think it's a stretch to say it could

translate into real change. "

 

The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White House. But

the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables — from a wish list of

the kitchen staff — grown from organic seedlings started at the executive

mansion's greenhouses.

 

The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatilloes and

hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red

leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For

desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more

unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who

is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.

 

Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.

 

The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal

from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will

help control harmful bugs.

 

Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan menus

around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, is looking forward to berry

season.

 

Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals for the

Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will oversee the

garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff will do most of the work,

but other White House staff members have volunteered.

 

" First of all, " Mrs. Obama said, " there's nothing really cooler than coming to

the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen

with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing

the joys of your work. "

 

Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before, said the idea

for it came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her

daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering

a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll. The children's

pediatrician told her she needed to be thinking about nutrition.

 

" He raised a flag for us, " she said, and within months the children lost weight.

 

For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local taste

better.

 

" A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you'll ever

eat, " she said. " And my children know the difference, and that's how I've been

able to get them to try different things.

 

" I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And

what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of

the White House. "

 

The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play an

important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.

 

But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that she

doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't have the time to have a garden:

there are still many small changes they can make.

 

" You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to

cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and

vegetables, " she said.

[Guest guest]

It may well do that.

 

Jo

 

, " flower child " <zurumato wrote:

>

>

> I hope this encourages others to do the same.

>

> anouk

>

>

>

> March 19, 2009

> Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden

> By MARIAN BURROS

> WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White

House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's

victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn't

like them) but arugula will make the cut.

>

> While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and

formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate

children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when

obesity has become a national concern.

>

> In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, " My hope is that through

children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn,

begin to educate our communities. "

>

> Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will

help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to

passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the Obama girls' swing set.) Students

from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant,

harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs.

>

> Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds,

" whether they like it or not, " Mrs. Obama said laughing. " Now Grandma, my mom, I

don't know. " Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: " Isn't that

lovely. You missed a spot. "

>

> Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than a matter of

landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental symbolism as the Obamas

have been lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food

locally could lead to healthier eating and lessen reliance on huge industrial

farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.

>

> In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of

Mrs. Obama's agenda.

>

> " The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message

about eating healthy and more delicious food, " said Dan Barber, an owner of Blue

Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., an organic restaurant that grows

many of its own ingredients. " I don't think it's a stretch to say it could

translate into real change. "

>

> The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White House. But

the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables — from a wish list of

the kitchen staff — grown from organic seedlings started at the executive

mansion's greenhouses.

>

> The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatilloes and

hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red

leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For

desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more

unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who

is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.

>

> Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.

>

> The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab

meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises

will help control harmful bugs.

>

> Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan menus

around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, is looking forward to berry

season.

>

> Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals for the

Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will oversee the

garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff will do most of the work,

but other White House staff members have volunteered.

>

> " First of all, " Mrs. Obama said, " there's nothing really cooler than coming to

the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen

with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing

the joys of your work. "

>

> Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before, said the

idea for it came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her

daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering

a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll. The children's

pediatrician told her she needed to be thinking about nutrition.

>

> " He raised a flag for us, " she said, and within months the children lost

weight.

>

> For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local taste

better.

>

> " A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you'll

ever eat, " she said. " And my children know the difference, and that's how I've

been able to get them to try different things.

>

> " I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And

what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of

the White House. "

>

> The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play an

important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.

>

> But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that she

doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't have the time to have a garden:

there are still many small changes they can make.

>

> " You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to

cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and

vegetables, " she said.

>

[Guest guest]

Now if only he'd appoint as surgeon general someone who advocates following a whole foods, plant-based diet. Even a mostly whole foods, plant-based diet would be good....

 

- DJ-----------------------Always remember: Today's mighty oak is simplyyesterday's nut that held its ground...

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of heartwerkMonday, March 23, 2009 12:42 AM Subject: Re: Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn

 

 

It may well do that.Jo , "flower child" <zurumato wrote:>> > I hope this encourages others to do the same. > > anouk> > > > March 19, 2009> Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden > By MARIAN BURROS> WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn't like them) but arugula will make the cut.> > While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.> > In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, "My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities."> > Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the Obama girls' swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs. > > Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, "whether they like it or not," Mrs. Obama said laughing. "Now Grandma, my mom, I don't know." Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: "Isn't that lovely. You missed a spot."> > Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than a matter of landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental symbolism as the Obamas have been lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food locally could lead to healthier eating and lessen reliance on huge industrial farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.> > In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of Mrs. Obama's agenda. > > "The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message about eating healthy and more delicious food," said Dan Barber, an owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., an organic restaurant that grows many of its own ingredients. "I don't think it's a stretch to say it could translate into real change."> > The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White House. But the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables — from a wish list of the kitchen staff — grown from organic seedlings started at the executive mansion's greenhouses.> > The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatilloes and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.> > Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.> > The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs. > > Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan menus around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, is looking forward to berry season.> > Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals for the Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will oversee the garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff will do most of the work, but other White House staff members have volunteered. > > "First of all," Mrs. Obama said, "there's nothing really cooler than coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work."> > Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before, said the idea for it came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll. The children's pediatrician told her she needed to be thinking about nutrition. > > "He raised a flag for us," she said, and within months the children lost weight. > > For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local taste better. > > "A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you'll ever eat," she said. "And my children know the difference, and that's how I've been able to get them to try different things.> > "I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House." > > The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play an important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.> > But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that she doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't have the time to have a garden: there are still many small changes they can make. > > "You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables," she said.>

[Guest guest]

That would be even better.

 

Jo

 

 

-

Dena Jo

Monday, March 23, 2009 2:11 PM

RE: Re: Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn

 

 

 

Now if only he'd appoint as surgeon general someone who advocates following a whole foods, plant-based diet. Even a mostly whole foods, plant-based diet would be good....

 

- DJ-----------------------Always remember: Today's mighty oak is simplyyesterday's nut that held its ground...

 

 

 

 

On Behalf Of heartwerkMonday, March 23, 2009 12:42 AM Subject: Re: Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn

 

 

It may well do that.Jo , "flower child" <zurumato wrote:>> > I hope this encourages others to do the same. > > anouk> > > > March 19, 2009> Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden > By MARIAN BURROS> WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn't like them) but arugula will make the cut.> > While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has become a national concern.> > In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, "My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities."> > Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square-foot plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the Obama girls' swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs. > > Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, "whether they like it or not," Mrs. Obama said laughing. "Now Grandma, my mom, I don't know." Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: "Isn't that lovely. You missed a spot."> > Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than a matter of landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental symbolism as the Obamas have been lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food locally could lead to healthier eating and lessen reliance on huge industrial farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.> > In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of Mrs. Obama's agenda. > > "The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message about eating healthy and more delicious food," said Dan Barber, an owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., an organic restaurant that grows many of its own ingredients. "I don't think it's a stretch to say it could translate into real change."> > The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White House. But the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables — from a wish list of the kitchen staff — grown from organic seedlings started at the executive mansion's greenhouses.> > The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatilloes and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.> > Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.> > The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs. > > Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan menus around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the pastry chef, is looking forward to berry season.> > Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals for the Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will oversee the garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff will do most of the work, but other White House staff members have volunteered. > > "First of all," Mrs. Obama said, "there's nothing really cooler than coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work."> > Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before, said the idea for it came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll. The children's pediatrician told her she needed to be thinking about nutrition. > > "He raised a flag for us," she said, and within months the children lost weight. > > For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local taste better. > > "A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you'll ever eat," she said. "And my children know the difference, and that's how I've been able to get them to try different things.> > "I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House." > > The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play an important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.> > But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that she doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't have the time to have a garden: there are still many small changes they can make. > > "You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables," she said.>

[Guest guest]

Dena

 

Will not happen in our lifetime unfortunately! Maybe years from now!!!!!!! Jerrold--- On Mon, 3/23/09, Dena Jo <DenaJo2 wrote:

Dena Jo <DenaJo2RE: Re: Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn Date: Monday, March 23, 2009, 10:11 AM

 

 

 

Now if only he'd appoint as surgeon general someone who advocates following a whole foods, plant-based diet. Even a mostly whole foods, plant-based diet would be good....

 

- DJ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------Always remember: Today's mighty oak is simplyyesterday's nut that held its ground...

 

 

 

 

@gro ups.com [vegan_ chat@ .com] On Behalf Of heartwerkMonday, March 23, 2009 12:42 AM@gro ups.com Re: Obamas Plant Vegetable garden on white house lawn

 

 

It may well do that.Jo@gro ups.com, "flower child" <zurumato@.. .> wrote:>> > I hope this encourages others to do the same. > > anouk> > > > March 19, 2009> Obamas to Plant White House Vegetable Garden > By MARIAN BURROS> WASHINGTON — On Friday, Michelle Obama will begin digging up a patch of White House lawn to plant a vegetable garden, the first since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden in World War II. There will be no beets (the president doesn't like them) but arugula will make the cut.> > While the organic garden will provide food for the first family's meals and formal dinners, its most important role, Mrs. Obama said, will be to educate children about healthful, locally grown fruit and vegetables at time when obesity has

become a national concern.> > In an interview in her office, Mrs. Obama said, "My hope is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities. "> > Twenty-three fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington will help her dig up the soil for the 1,100-square- foot plot in a spot visible to passers-by on E Street. (It's just below the Obama girls' swing set.) Students from the school, which has had a garden since 2001, will also help plant, harvest and cook the vegetables, berries and herbs. > > Almost the entire Obama family, including the president, will pull weeds, "whether they like it or not," Mrs. Obama said laughing. "Now Grandma, my mom, I don't know." Her mother, she said, would probably sit back and say: "Isn't that lovely. You missed a spot."> > Whether there would be a White House garden has been more than

a matter of landscaping. It's taken on political and environmental symbolism as the Obamas have been lobbied for months by advocates who believe that growing more food locally could lead to healthier eating and lessen reliance on huge industrial farms that use more oil for transportation and chemicals for fertilizer.> > In the meantime, promoting healthful eating has become an important part of Mrs. Obama's agenda. > > "The power of Michelle Obama and the garden can create a very powerful message about eating healthy and more delicious food," said Dan Barber, an owner of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y., an organic restaurant that grows many of its own ingredients. "I don't think it's a stretch to say it could translate into real change."> > The Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the roof of the White House. But the Obamas' garden will have 55 varieties of vegetables — from a wish list

of the kitchen staff — grown from organic seedlings started at the executive mansion's greenhouses.> > The Obamas will feed their love of Mexican food with cilantro, tomatilloes and hot peppers. Lettuces will include red romaine, green oak leaf, butterhead, red leaf and galactic. There will be spinach, chard, collards and black kale. For desserts, there will be a patch of berries. And herbs will include some more unusual varieties, like anise hyssop and Thai basil. A White House carpenter who is a beekeeper will tend two hives for honey.> > Total cost for the seeds, mulch, etc., is $200.> > The plots will be in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs. > > Cristeta Comerford, the White House's executive chef, is eager to plan menus around the garden, and Bill Yosses, the

pastry chef, is looking forward to berry season.> > Sam Kass, an assistant White House chef who prepared healthful meals for the Obama family in Chicago and is an advocate of local food, will oversee the garden. The White House grounds crew and kitchen staff will do most of the work, but other White House staff members have volunteered. > > "First of all," Mrs. Obama said, "there's nothing really cooler than coming to the White House and harvesting some of the vegetables and being in the kitchen with Cris and Sam and Bill, and cutting and cooking and actually experiencing the joys of your work."> > Mrs. Obama, who said that she never had a vegetable garden before, said the idea for it came from her experiences as a working mother trying to feed her daughters, Malia and Sasha, a good diet. Eating out three times a week, ordering a pizza, having a sandwich for dinner all took their toll. The children's

pediatrician told her she needed to be thinking about nutrition. > > "He raised a flag for us," she said, and within months the children lost weight. > > For children, she said, food is all about taste, and fresh and local taste better. > > "A real delicious heirloom tomato is one of the sweetest things that you'll ever eat," she said. "And my children know the difference, and that's how I've been able to get them to try different things.> > "I wanted to be able to bring what I learned to a broader base of people. And what better way to do it than to plant a vegetable garden in the South Lawn of the White House." > > The country's one million community gardens, she said, can also play an important role for urban dwellers who have no backyards.> > But, sitting in her office in the East Wing, Mrs. Obama stressed that she doesn't want people to feel guilty if they don't

have the time to have a garden: there are still many small changes they can make. > > "You can begin in your own cupboard by eliminating processed food, trying to cook a meal a little more often, trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables," she said.>