Michelle Obama Gardens With Kids Again, Plants Seedlings

WASHINGTON — First lady Michelle Obama planted the first fruit and vegetable seedlings in the new White House garden Thursday, assisted by a group of eager fifth-graders who tend to a similar garden at their school.

An advocate of eating fresh and healthy food, she could be enjoying salads made with lettuce from the garden in about two weeks.

Spinach, assorted types of lettuce, herbs, onions, shallots, cucumbers and peas are among the crops planted Thursday. Tomatoes are to follow in about three weeks. Honey will come from a beehive a short distance away from the 1,100-square-foot, L-shaped plot on the South Lawn.

Before they got their hands dirty, Mrs. Obama encouraged the Bancroft Elementary School students to eat more fruits and vegetables and to eat them regularly. She said she learned about that as a mother trying to feed her daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha.

"It does have nutrients, it does make you strong, it is all brain food," she said.

Mrs. Obama said she kept getting asked about the garden while in Europe last week, even by Prince Charles. The prince is an avid gardener who has said people need only a window box to start growing their own food.

"In many countries they really believe in the importance of planting and growing their own food," Mrs. Obama told the fifth-graders, who helped her and White House staff break ground for the garden last month.

She said the garden was "real inexpensive," no more than $200, and would yield "a ton of stuff."

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"We can produce enough fruits and vegetables to feed us for years and years to come, for just a couple of hundred dollars," she said.

Some of the crops will be served to the Obamas and to White House staff and guests. Some will be donated to a local soup kitchen. The students are to return to the White House around the end of the school year for the larger harvest, and to help cook some of the food.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urged them to spread the message at school that it's cool to eat healthy meals.

Mrs. Obama put on a pair of brown gardening gloves, got down on her knees and teamed with students Michelle Pisqui and Santana Holmes to plant neat rows of dill, oregano and rosemary. Vilsack and his student helpers worked on sorrel, collard greens and kale.

The work lasted about 40 minutes. Mrs. Obama quipped afterward that it was "easier than ripping the grass up" last month.

Assistant White House chef Sam Kass said the lettuces could be ready in the next week or two, along with spinach and herbs.

The garden also has a section devoted to Thomas Jefferson, including specific kinds of lettuces, spinach and cabbage. Kass said he visited Monticello, Jefferson's home in Charlottesville, Va., last weekend for inspiration.

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On the Net:

White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov

Comments

[liecatcher]

Teaching by showing children first hand is the best way to instill pride in growing vegetables.

These are lifetime skills that can be passed from generation to generation.

The good nutrition lesson is priceless.

Children are becoming obese from inactivity and improper nutrition.

Then along comes the predator fascists who want to own and control everything & everybody.

What follows is an article in todays DEMOCRACY NOW .
Pro-Pesticide Group Criticizes First Lady’s Organic Garden

And First Lady Michelle Obama is coming under criticism from a pro-pesticide industry group for deciding to plant an organic garden at the White House. The Mid America CropLife Association recently wrote to the First Lady to urge her to consider using pesticides, or what they call "crop protection products.” One official with the pro-pesticide group said, “While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made [us] shudder.” Mid America CropLife represents agribusinesses like Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences and DuPont.

[jgrayson]

What a wonderful example to set for the country. Just as victory gardens were an important part of the war effort during World War II, growing our own food can be a significant way to contribute to our green energy future. If you haven't yet heard the NPR interview with agricultural visionary Michael Pollan (where he talks about this), it's worth checking out. Here's a link to a summary of the interview (it includes a link to the actual interview, as well):

http://theredwhiteandgreen.com/2009/02/20/chew-on-this/

[Dgtlkaos]

"The students are to return to the White House around the end of the school year for the larger harvest, and to help cook some of the food."

Child labor - just like a third world country.

[Dgtlkaos]

We could also have children pulling rickshaws around Washington
That would help eliminate the need for cars with internal combustion engines.

[ReesieKitty]

I am thrilled to see this- it is inspiring students at my son's school to try and get an organic garden going. We have a small organic garden and I couldn't be happier with the results. I'm also so excited that the First Lady is including beehives!! These kids are getting exposed to real natural science here!!

[Cambridge9]

I learned about home gardening when I was about 7 years old. I lived on on the island of Jersey which was occupied during WW-11 and NOTHING could come in or leave the island. Every last inch of soil was put to growing and we shared what we could with those who had no gardens. I've been a strong believer in "you are what you eat" and have grown my kitchen garden all my life. It's the old "Give a man a fish" story. Once your garden is started you keep seeds for next year and do it again. In today's world you don't have to worry about salmonella outbreaks, you can pick the veggies and have them on the table within the hour - and the flavors are great.

By the way, why is is so important to describe what Michelle wears in the garden.. The worms, bugs and dirt don't know or care what anyone wears. I wear my oldest duds before they become cleaning rags. It's the results that count. Oh, and the 5th graders might just learn something!!!!

[liecatcher]

Be careful of what you say about saving seeds and growing organically .

The fascists who want to control every aspect of our food supply criticized Michelle Obama
for growing an organic garden. Here is what they said in todays DEMOCRACY NOW.

Pro-Pesticide Group Criticizes First Lady’s Organic Garden

And First Lady Michelle Obama is coming under criticism from a pro-pesticide industry group for deciding to plant an organic garden at the White House. The Mid America CropLife Association recently wrote to the First Lady to urge her to consider using pesticides, or what they call "crop protection products.” One official with the pro-pesticide group said, “While a garden is a great idea, the thought of it being organic made [us] shudder.” Mid America CropLife represents agribusinesses like Monsanto, Dow AgroSciences and DuPont.

[Elisabeth Winkler]

The Big Farm-a lobby did INDEED have something to say about The White House garden.

The Mid America CropLife Association sent an email to Michelle Obama, perhaps nervous that growing food might put the "wrong" idea in people's heads.

"As you go about planning and planting the White House garden, we respectfully encourage you to recognize the role conventional agriculture plays in the U.S."

The full letter is here http://www.lavidalocavore.org/showDiary.do?diaryId=1309

[mick7191]

Replace "conventional" with "corporate".

[klbrz]

Isn't it funny how they use words like "conventional?" I thought the chemical crops were the new comers and organic was the "conventional" way. For centuries people have been using manure, plant waste and so forth to augment soil for better crops.

Too bad the big ag chemical companies aren't going bankrupt.

[JFaye]

This is great as well inspiring. We are approx two weeks away from our "spring" planting ... can hardly wait. The therapeutic benefits of gardening actually begin with the earth, or soil.. so calming.

Perhaps more of these negative pundits and so-called conservatives should plant gardens; and yes, organic (less chemicals the better). It might change their attitudes.

[moonbay]

Love our first lady! Teaching by modeling, willing to get dirt under her fingernails. Good priorities, good values!

[Cambridge9]

I agree, but I think the adjective 'modeling' might be a bit misleading since it seems her clothes are the main topic here. Maybe the word should be 'example'.

Not a criticism of your thought. I agree with you.

[jsgaetano]

Geez... you'd never have seen either of the Bush first ladies getting their hands dirty. Imagine what the neighbors would say!

[plantguy]

People act like planting a garden is a new invention.

[beaglebailey]

I'm glad that she is setting this example. Unfortunately planting a garden IS new to most people. I started planting and growing vegetables a few years ago because of all of the e. coli problems with various vegetables. I had forgotten how much better fresh fruits and vegetables taste than what you get in the store. This year I have planted several fruit trees and plan to spend part of my Easter weekend planting my vegetables. Hopefully many others will do the same thanks to Michelle Obama's excellent example.

[Cambridge9]

I wish I could spend my Easter weekend in the garden. We still have frost here at night. I'll think of you. I plant every year but with only a 90 day growing period we are a bit limited.

[polyticks]

Assistant Chef Kass is H-O-T

[Derek Lall]

I'm so glad that Barack was elected, he has an amazing family, and they are all in their own way improving the world every day.

[valkyrie607]

Possibly the best thing to come out of the Obama administration so far. If many people make small changes like this, really big change will follow.

[jsgaetano]

A Republican would never have done this. Imagine what the food store lobby would say if people started... GASP!... growing their own vegetables.

[Havnagudtim]

What great lady. What a terrific mom. And best of all, she is OUR FLOTUS. I love this family.

[Rope-A-Dope]

oops...I meant money/mouth

[smarttart001]

They really are a class act. :)