Crude Oil hits newer and newer highs, gasoline is creeping forward in a slower but no less steep rise, and heating oil is the tiger in the next room. With these costs going up money gets tight quickly for even well-to-do families. Add to that the big gotcha that ethanol production is driving up food prices (or more sneakily shrinking serving sizes) and you have a situation where families cannot make ends meet.
The solution, at least in Philadelphia, involves a prison and community gardens. Essentially the lowest level prisoners are being used to tend to seedling plants that will then go out to community gardens. As these public gardens are tended fresh vegetables are grown, which are then given out to charities and churches for distribution to the needy. And the number of needy is growing. Last year 6 tones of vegetables were grown and given out. This year the plan is to grow 15,000 pounds of food.
This plan has a hidden benefit as well. For the prisoners there is the opportunity to learn about nature, self-reliance, self-discipline, and even a few classes in classics like math squeezed in. It may not be the perfect answer to higher food prices, but to those – especially the elderly – that have the need it’s brilliant.
Now some of my more business minded readers might wonder where all the money comes from. Nothing is completely free, and they are right in this case as well. The Albert M. Greenfield Foundation has funded this program through 2009 at a cost of $500,000. Those involved believe this is money well granted.
So what is the point here? That gardening can be more than just a bit of relaxation. That community gardens can be used for more than just nice looks. That even under difficult conditions the human spirit can flourish in the least expected environments.
Think about it. Maybe you have a community garden near you, or you can start one. Perhaps there is a program in your area already or you can start one. I’ve just planted a seed, will you help it grow?
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