Gardening at the White House

Even the little changes in this new administration are good ones. Hence, Michelle Obama's plan to have a garden at the White House. The plan is to grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the space - with the total cost for mulch and seeds totalling only $200.

This is the first time since Elenor Roosevelt's victory garden during World War II that a garden has been planted at the White House. According to the New York Times:

"While the Clintons grew some vegetables in pots on the White House roof, the Obamas’ garden will far transcend that, with 55 varieties of vegetables - from a wish list of the kitchen staff - grown from organic seedlings started at the Executive Mansion’s greenhouses."

This not only sends a great message as far as growing your own fruit and vegetables, but it supplies the White House with fresh grown food. It actually sends a myriad of messages: gardening, eating well, appreciating the environment...the list goes on.

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 a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.

“My hope,” the first lady said in an interview in her East Wing office, “is that through children, they will begin to educate their families and that will, in turn, begin to educate our communities.”

In the process of creating the garden, Obama has brought in twenty-three elementary school children to help. They will also assist in harvesting the food from the garden.

It is nice to have such an active and caring First Lady. I think she really sends a great message - and it is done with her usual class and a true hope in the future.