Self-Sufficiency Series 

The great depression of 1929 lasted for ten years. During that time "Depression Relief Gardens" struggled for organization. Finally through Franklin Roosevelt, and his "New Deal," in 1933, the FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Agency) was created and organization took place. The vegetable gardens were tended by workers, paid through governmental funding. Anyone who needed the vegetables could request them. The idea worked. However, there were stringent regulations for both the workers and the vegetable gardens, in classic big governmental fashion.

I propose that we start such vegetable gardens once again with the name of "Freedom Gardens." Let's be prepared if the worst should come about. If we bounce right back economically in this country, then what a great step towards adding to the "green" in the U.S. Shouldn't we take control. If we can create organic gardens to feed local citizens, we would all be healthier, we would all be more involved in each other. Let's start taking back the government, by "being" the government again. That is what our country was based on, before we became so complacent. I want to see us as the Strong, the Brave, and the Free again.

Freedom Garden Organization

In the U.S. we are going into our autumn season. It's the perfect time to start organizing such an endeavor for next spring. Pull out your leadership qualities and take charge. Head a group in your community for a Freedom Garden.

Step 1. Location. If you have a vacant lot, or plot of ground large enough to hold such a vegetable garden, volunteer it. Check to see if you need permission from you local government to put such a garden in place as others will be volunteering their time and efforts. It's important to make sure all Is are dotted and Ts are crossed so no one comes knocking on your door later. Maybe you know of someone with space for a garden that you could approach for use of one year at a time. The final suggestion, would be to look around your community where there may be unused city or county owned property and find out how to request use of it.

Step 2. Committee. Run an ad, post flyers, send emails, whatever it takes to get people involved to form a Freedom Garden committee. The more brains with ideas and knowledge, the better. There will always be a need for a leader, but we, in this country, know the democratic vote is the best way. You may have to form your committee with chosen board members to start. Those that are willing to commit to a full year may be your only needed criteria to start, depending on the size of your initial volunteer pool.

Step 3. Mission. With your committee board in place, form a mission document. This should include: who you are, your purpose, how the structure of the governing body and the vegetable garden will work. It might be best to go a step further and form a nonprofit organization. The fun part is coming up with a name to individualize your endeavor. It could be named after your town or county. It could be named after an admired person of the community past or present, it could just be something associated with the area. The Central Oregon Freedom Garden, The Crows Nest Freedom Garden, The Peace and Freedom Garden, Everybody's Freedom Garden....

Step 4. Garden Planning. Come up with the garden plan. You could divide the area into family or group plots. If this works for your needs, great. However, I would suggest that a garden in which everyone works together creates more community ownership - "our garden" rather than "my garden" mentality. Decide what will be planted. If you only have guaranteed use of the area for one year you will need to choose those foods that will be harvested at the end of the season. If you've been lucky enough to find a vegetable gardening area that will be used over a longer period of time you will want to consider fruit trees, berry bushes, grapes and other choices that will feed people year after year.

Once the food items are chosen, a vegetable garden plan must be worked out - a map. Will your garden be the traditional rows on the ground or will you create raised beds with wood frames for part or all of it. Raised beds will give you a more attractive garden and allow those places with poor soil the least amount of expense to add nutrients to the dirt.

Step 5. Expense. How will supplies and tools be paid for. Donations are probably the best way to acquire what is needed to run the garden. Of course, members will donate things out of their involvement of the project. However, when you go to stores asking for donations for your project you will find a lot of the "big box" stores do not give donations. They will tell you to contact their main office, which may give you a run-around or just outright tell you no. Your best bet is to request compost, hoses, tools, etc. from smaller individually owned businesses. If you can offer them something in return, all the better. Consider listing all contributors in a location on the garden grounds or writing a thank you in the local newspaper under letters to the editor - cost nothing.

Step 6. Seeds. This is a small consideration on one hand, but huge in the long run. Think about purchasing seeds that are not hybrids. I am not an expert, but I believe that hybrids will not reproduce seeds that can be planted again. If I am wrong, please correct me. Purchase heirloom seeds. Learn or appoint someone in your Freedom Garden group that knows how to save seeds at the end of the season for the next year. This just makes the group more self-sufficient and you can always purchase new seeds for additional foods not previously grown, each year if they are available.

Step Up To The Plate

Revolution has been one of my favorite words ever since I can remember. I love the way it sounds, the way the letters roll in my mouth as I say the word, I love the feeling of action, newness and freedom it implies. Now I know why. It's not about war or even rebellion in a violent way. It's about taking my life back, about being who I am without apologies. It's certainly about bringing us all back together, "...one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all."