GIY gardening makes for good nutrition and fun

Most of us have a general idea of what the term organic means. We’ve seen the labeling on grocery store products and know that it is “a good thing.” But, beyond knowing that we want to be healthy and feel good, what do we want from our organics?

This question was the focus of a community wellness workshop about organic gardening and standards attended by about 30 people at the Australasian College of Health Sciences in Portland, Oregon, March 21. During the three-hour, free community workshop, Master Gardener and Senior Vice President Erika Yigzaw, repeatedly asked the audience, “Why organic?” Participants shared some of the expected, such as: to protect the environment, to reduce dependence on GMO (genetically modified organism) crops, to save money.

But, as Yigzaw pointed out, there is a bit of unexpected practicality too. Since the end of WWII and the use of victory gardens, subsequent generations have become more and more removed from the garden. This growing dependence on outside food suppliers has also created a gap in education. If we no longer know where our food comes from, we can no longer make informed decisions about health and nutrition. A solution, Yigzaw emphasized, is going organic, gardening within your means. Meaning, you don’t have to go large scale to grow your own; rather, you only need a plot large enough to grow what you can reasonably maintain and eat. (For example, with the help of seedling heat mats, apartment dwellers can start container gardens on their kitchen tables.)

Further, GIY gardening (grow-it-yourself gardening) is an important community-building activity, which teaches children about self-reliance and nutrition. As seen on the news show 60 Minutes and the March 20 New York Times article, “Obamas to Plant Vegetable Garden at White House,” Michelle Obama is making nutrition a top priority.

Evidence of her commitment to community education, Mrs. Obama publically broke ground for an organic garden on White House property, which, according to the Times, will educate children about healthy, locally grown foods “at a time when obesity and diabetes have become a national concern.”

Like Mrs. Obama, this is an effort we can easily make in our own backyards. Teaching children about grow-it-yourself gardening and the health and environmental benefits of organics (namely, synthetic pesticide free fruits and vegetables, increased nutrients, environmental protection, self reliance, cost savings, and sustainability, to name a few), is perhaps one of the greatest investments we can make in the future health of our nation.

For more information and garden-to-kitchen tips, PowerPoint presentations from the ACHS workshop can be downloaded from the Apothecary Shoppe College Store website: https://www.apothecary-shoppe.com/index.php?cPath=45.

Downloads include workshop topics: family-friendly GIY food-growing projects, seed starting, organic composting, soil requirements, health benefits of growing and eating organic, nutrition, and a presentation about organic standards, processing of organic botanicals from garden to teacup, by ACHS Master Herbalist Christina Suarez, owner of The Good Herb Company.

Upcoming ACHS community education events include: a summer kick off open house, a lavender harvesting and distillation workshop, a holistic health fair, and an herb day celebration. For specific dates, check the ACHS Community Wellness calendar: http://www.achs.edu/course-desc.aspx?pid=179&id=6.

Earth Hour March 28 is a global call to action

A message from earthhour.org...

VOTE EARTH

YOUR LIGHT SWITCH IS YOUR VOTE

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.

This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming.

For the first time in history, people of all ages, nationalities, race and background have the opportunity to use their light switch as their vote – Switching off your lights is a vote for Earth, or leaving them on is a vote for global warming. WWF are urging the world to VOTE EARTH and reach the target of 1 billion votes, which will be presented to world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009.

This meeting will determine official government policies to take action against global warming, which will replace the Kyoto Protocol. It is the chance for the people of the world to make their voice heard.

Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.

In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.

We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations.

VOTE EARTH by simply switching off your lights for one hour, and join the world for Earth Hour.

Saturday, March 28, 8:30-9:30pm.