According to the Department of Agriculture website, US Agriculture Secretary Vilsack declared August 23 – 29 National Community Gardening Week. “Community gardens provide numerous benefits including opportunities for local food production, resource conservation, and neighborhood beautification,” said Vilsack. “But they also promote family and community interaction and enhance opportunities to eat healthy, nutritious foods. Each of these benefits is something we can and should strive for.”

Your city can benefit from the ‘The People’s Garden,’ a USDA demonstration plot designed to teach how to develop and maintain healthy landscapes that demonstrates and educates environmentally responsible practices. USDA plans to reduce stormwater runoff with rain gardens and green roofs, reducing its impervious surfaces and enhancing the USDA’s Farmers Market.

The People’s Garden demonstrates how to provide healthy food, air and water for people and communities as well as food and shelter for wildlife. These practices improve soil health and water quality. Information about The People’s Garden initiative is available at www.usda.gov/peoplesgarden or follow ‘The People’s Garden’ at www.twitter.com/peoplesgarden