The Obama Allotment

On a weekly news round-up "Out of Ireland" that I'm watching here in the US on public TV regularly to keep up to date with my former country, I saw a report last week on the growing popularity of allotments. An upscale small village, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow started this at the beginning of the year, converting fields into little patches of a few square meters for people who are worried where their veggies are coming from; in particular what insecticides, pesticides, and artificial fertilizers are used on them, or the sheer price of the produce. Interesting- like back in the old days when people were so poor they had to grow their own. Is it just happening because the Celtic Tiger is hibernating or comatose? Well, it is no coincidence this occurred when Ireland's economy was sliding into a severe recession and job losses abound: The flagship of European economic success over the past 10 years is sinking.

This piece of news obviously doesn´t carry the same importance in this part of the world as when the Obama´s dig up a patch of their South Lawn in March to plant veggies, for the first time at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt´s victory garden in World War II. Not only has it provided healthy vegetables for the first family but also educated the nation´s kids (or at least a selected bunch of them) about health living, healthy food, and the connection to a greener environment as well as the joy one derives from harvesting one´s own, at a time when obesity has become a national concern and rows for food stamps become longer by the week. For me, it´s the political and environmental symbolism that counts. The plots were in raised beds fertilized with White House compost, crab meal from the Chesapeake Bay, lime and green sand. Ladybugs and praying mantises will help control harmful bugs.

If you followed the news there, the crop was plenty.

Here, like in Ireland, people who had never seeded anything before were surprised and delighted at the outcome. How easy it was. Nothing like your own grown carrots or potatoes. They taste different. The educational aspect was a joy to see - how parents got involved with their kids in this little project. The autumn crop was good and they were planting winter vegetables like cabbage now.

Enniskerry started off with ca. 50, now had 180 and expects to extend this program. Other towns all over Ireland followed suit. Well done, Enniskerry! Close to my heart (I once had a farm in Ireland). And close to my home, (I lived in Bray, a mere 3 miles away, until I moved to the States).

For more reading on organic farming and matters, you may want to check out my blog: www.Inandoutofireland/blogsot.com.

The Ex Farmer´s Wife- or is it The Farmer´s Ex Wife?