[Check out upcoming classes, workshops and events under Events on the left menu.]
Many people today are not aware of how successful WWII Victory Gardens were in providing not only food but improving nutrition for civilians. Here’s a look at Pennsylvania’s Victory Gardens back then. "The Victory Garden movement and its significance in our wartime economy, both as a means of releasing food to our armed forces and improving the nutritional status of civilians" can be most appreciated when looking at the numbers, wrote Marion Margery Scranton, Commander, War Services, Pennsylvania State Council of Defense in the 1944 handbook "Victory Gardens". In 1943 Victory Gardens produced 8 million tons of vegetables equal to 25% of the entire U.S. production and in 1944 that increased to 40%. At their peak there were more than 20 million Victory Gardens planted across the United States with more than 1 million tons grown during the war. There were approximately 1.4 million gardens in Pennsylvania in 1943, double that from 1942. Governor Edward Martin called for an increase in 1944 to 1.54 million and the 1,500 Victory Garden committees throughout the State took up the challenge. The Victory Garden program was highly organized and supported by citizen and local groups though committees. In Pennsylvania, Penn State College and their County Farm Agents gave citizens whatever technical information and services were needed. These included site and seed selection, soil tests and cultural information. The Pennsylvania Handbook provided information from committee organization and technical information to all methods of preserving and the nutritional values of vegetables and fruits. This program helped improve nutrition by encouraging more use of both in everyday diets. To aid in canning excess food, there were Victory Garden Conservation Kitchens available to all. Foods were canned not only for home use but also civic purposes - local hospitals, school lunches and food banks.Victory Gardens were not only a way to aid the war but made at-home citizens part of the war effort. Claude R. Wickard, Secretary of Agriculture in the early 1940's, said, "A Victory Garden is like a share in an airplane factory. It helps win the War and pays dividends too." His slogan was "Food Will Win the War and Write the Peace." Franklin County Master Gardeners will soon open registration for their season-long, hands-on Victory Garden program. Participates not only learn vegetable gardening from planning, planting, caring for and harvesting the crops but get to take home a share of the harvest. Call 717-263-9226 for information. For those interested, the Handbook can be downloaded as a document or e-book at https://archive.org/details/victory.... Carol Kagan, Penn State Master Gardener [Check our Events listing. Our Victory Garden starts in April. Registration opens March 10. Enrollment limited.]
During World War II resources were scarce; most were used to support the national war effort. Citizens from all countries were asked to help in any way possible. They purchased bonds, recycled, helped neighbors, some gave their lives and some planted “Gardens for Victory”. Victory Gardens in every shape and size cropped up. Governments and corporations promoted them in a call for self-reliance. Rural and urban people worked the soil to raise food for families, friends and neighbors allowing resources to supply troops around the world. Most of these concepts are lost to society in today’s post-war, global economy. Years of prosperity have allowed many to become reliant on others. An entire generation of millennials knows no other way. As society ages, we lose the experience and knowledge gained from the Great Depression and World War II. While history is cyclical, the strong economy during the 80’s and 90’s has weakened and there are lessons to learn from the past. Today’s war is a grass roots revolution from processed food. The victory is seen in the many backyards and community plots that people are once again using to grow food. Resilient communities are supporting one another through gardening and finding a connection to good, fresh and tasty food, grown in the garden and put on the plate. Growing what you eat and eating what you grow has several advantages. In addition to saving money and providing fresh vegetables and fruits, it is better for our planet by reducing use of fossil fuels in transport and refrigeration plus reduction in pesticide and fertilizer use. And it can be good for the soul, connecting us to our roots and keeping us grounded. How do you start a Victory Garden? You become a vegetable gardener or help someone else who lacks the knowledge. The objective is to grow enough fresh vegetables through the summer for immediate family and neighbors, and maybe enough to preserve for the winter months. Penn State Master Gardeners, Franklin County, has a program that will teach everything you need to know to grow great vegetables at home. The Victory Garden program is a community gardening project for people who want to learn how to grow vegetables in their home gardens. This is a season long, weekly vegetable garden growing experience beginning with spring garden preparation and ending with the final fall harvest. Classes meet from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. every Monday beginning April 17, 2017, in the basement of the Extension Office. Following the classroom instruction, students will walk across the road to the Franklin County Horticulture Center. The fee for the whole season is $50. Classes will end October 9, 2017. “The Victory Garden class is a fantastic way to gain hands-on experience in a community setting,” said Christine Mayer, Director, Fulton Center for Sustainability Studies at Wilson College. “Food is our common denominator and I can’t think of a better way to learn about the why’s and how’s of local food and food production, not to mention the health benefits to ourselves, and to the planet.” This is also an excellent opportunity for schools, churches or community groups who would like to start a community garden to participate in and learn from the ground up how a successful program is run. New and traditional gardening practices are taught which include no-till gardening, vertical gardening, correct use of fungicides and pesticides and growing in hay bales, to name a few. The Victory Garden group meets once a week to work in the garden: planting, weeding, and harvesting. This is a hands-on program so be prepared to work. Wear garden clothes and bring gloves. Master Gardeners provide the garden tools and supplies. Each class begins with a short instruction related to what is happening in the garden at that time. Topics include soil preparation and soil tests, seed and plant selection, mulching, pests and disease identification, staking and pruning plants and much, much more. Participants working in the garden will be rewarded with a share of the harvest, and lots of know-how, to take home. “It always brings a smile to my face when a class member reports that they tried something that they learned in class and it was a great success,” said Ron Schlecht, one of the Victory Garden Coordinators. “It is also gratifying to learn that our class has stimulated members to do internet research to extend their knowledge.” Registration for the 2017 program begins on March 10. Call 263-9226 to register. Class size is limited. - Annette Spry, Penn State Master Gardener Photos Courtesy of: Modern Farmer, Penn State MG, Missouri State University The April 16 seed ball workshops were a great success for both the small morning family-friendly group and the larger group of adults in the afternoon. The workshops were led by Ruth Young, Maria Giles, Carol Kagan, Barb Petrucci and Cathy Campbell who presented a short pollinator program for the family group. Carol Kagan and Barb Petrucci helped the 5 children make flower books which included photos of flowers, and seedlings of the seeds included. Moving outside to walkway, participants learned about seed balls and how to make them with Ruth Young demonstrating the procedures. Everyone got down to making seed balls which included seeds for pollinator host plants - dill and parsley, plus zinnias, marigolds, bachelor's buttons, California poppies and nasturtiums. Photos below. |
AuthorCarol Rhoades Kagan, Chambersburg, PA CategoriesArchives
November 2020
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2023 Franklin County Master Garden Plant Sale | our blog & notes |