Grow Food Not Lawns
#1
[Image: 537435_459412987447652_1981858616_n.jpg]

Dear Sir/Madam:

In the past year or so, I have seen a growing assault on a specific type of individual freedom. A seemingly innocuous activity has drawn the ire of local officials, and when I tell you what it is, you will think it is so silly you just might laugh. You might even think that paying attention to this issue is a waste of your limited time, but I can assure you from my own personal experience that it absolutely is not.

In June of 2011 I faced a 93 day jail sentence for growing vegetables in my front yard. Yes, you read that correctly. There was no other issue, no hidden criminal mischief, no homeowner’s association, no history of any other violations. There was nothing in the municipal code that prohibited growing vegetables in the front yard, nor was there anything, unsightly or even vaguely menacing. Yet I was charged with a misdemeanor. If my case was an isolated incident, we could just attribute it to an overzealous city planner and that would be the end of the story.

But in September of 2011, Memphis high school teacher Adam Guerrero was ordered to dismantle a similar garden. In his case, he used the garden to educate students from the local high school about growing food, making soap and biodiesel, harvesting honey, and giving youth productive and constructive ways to use their time. For this he was dragged into court and labelled a troublemaker.

In June of 2012 Karl Tricamo of Ferguson, Missouri was ordered to tear up his front yard garden in spite of the fact that it clearly violated no zoning ordinance. He chose to stand his ground rather than capitulate to bullying by his city, but it was a difficult fight, and one that a law-abiding citizen should not have to wage. Karl won his fight too, but the city is planning to retaliate by drafting new and stricter gardening ordinances that will prevent him from continuing to plant in the future.

In October, 2012 the Helvenston Family in Orlando, Florida were ordered to remove their front yard vegetable garden, with a citation stating that, ”Front yard must be restored to its original configuration and ground covers restored.” In spite of the fact that the original complaint was made by a landlord who lived over 1,000 miles away, and in spite of the fact that neighbors in the area were in support of the garden, the City claimed ground cover violations, then ruled that the vegetable garden was agriculture and only allowed it in the rear yard where there is no sun. The Code still has not changed and the case against them is still pending. Up until this point, they have not been allowed to speak in front of the city council, nor been given a fair hearing, despite the city repeatedly telling media that they are working with the couple to find a fair solution to the situation.

Perhaps most egregious, though, is the case of Denise Morrison in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Denise grew a varied garden of herbs, flowers, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. She was cited by her city for violating their zoning ordinances. And while her case was pending, before she had her hearing, city workers came and razed her garden. That’s right. No due process. no fair trial. All because some local bureaucrats wouldn’t tolerate one woman growing some of her own food.

So what can you do? I am asking you to be courageous enough to sponsor a bill that will protect a citizen’s right to grow food. I am asking you to pass into law something that should already be obvious to thinking people: that a free citizen should have the right (barring legitimate concerns over safety and welfare of others, of course) to grow food on their own property. Protect individuals from the petty tyranny of local governments.

Yes, I know we can vote in local elections, and we do. But wouldn’t it be wonderful if you took a stand on this issue? I’ll tell you who would support you, because they supported me during my fight with the city (which I won, by the way): people who care about: food safety, food rights, water conservation, energy conservation, organics, local politics, human rights, keeping government in check, farming, slow food, eating local, land use issues, environmentalists, water quality, peak oil concerns, saving money, healthy diets, teaching and learning, improvising in a tough economy, self-sufficiency, therapeutic benefits of gardening, creating strong neighborhoods and regaining a sense of community, taking pride in what you work for (a most American value), as well as many other things.

It used to be that Americans were encouraged to plant Victory Gardens. Average people felt they were helping their country and their families by putting their hands in their soil and growing some of what they ate. They took pride in the fact that they were able to see the results of their effort on their very own dinner table. Today many people struggle from paycheck to paycheck. Slogans are thrown around about how best to help people who are just trying to “make it”. Here you have case after case of people who are willing to do what it takes to plant what some have termed the new “Survival Gardens”. How wonderful it would be for them to be able to flourish in peace!

At the heyday of our battle, we had several hundred thousand visitors following my story on my blog. I’m sure there were at least that many following our story on other websites and through other media. Undoubtedly you would have more than that supporting you in this issue.

I will eagerly await a response from you.

Thank you and best wishes,

Julie Bass
http://oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com/
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#2
Fortunately, I think this area is too hick to have started implementing these rules. So far.
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#3
(01-20-2013, 11:41 PM)Tiamat Wrote: Fortunately, I think this area is too hick to have started implementing these rules. So far.

In the past, when I was less 'aware', I recall seeing different forms of this concept and turning my nose up a bit. I mean, really, you're supposed to have a useless lawn that needs constant chemicals and an abundance of water. Not to mention having to use a noisy machine, that never starts, to mow the durn thing.

Now? I see vegetables and herbs growing anywhere, I cheer.

It used to be: "Food, not bombs".
I still like that one, but I also like: "Food not lawns".
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#4
(01-20-2013, 11:46 PM)Clone Wrote:
(01-20-2013, 11:41 PM)Tiamat Wrote: Fortunately, I think this area is too hick to have started implementing these rules. So far.

In the past, when I was less 'aware', I recall seeing different forms of this concept and turning my nose up a bit. I mean, really, you're supposed to have a useless lawn that needs constant chemicals and an abundance of water. Not to mention having to use a noisy machine, that never starts, to mow the durn thing.

Now? I see vegetables and herbs growing anywhere, I cheer.

It used to be: "Food, not bombs".
I still like that one, but I also like: "Food not lawns".

I have a lawn. And I rent. But I still pulled out the strip in front and planted flowers, roses, tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce and peas every year. I mix it up. I usually get compliments when people look and realize they are not just looking at flowers but edibles too.
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#5
(01-20-2013, 11:57 PM)Tiamat Wrote: I have a lawn. And I rent. But I still pulled out the strip in front and planted flowers, roses, tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce and peas every year. I mix it up. I usually get compliments when people look and realize they are not just looking at flowers but edibles too.

I like that idea...I have been growing basil, parsley, rosemary, cilantro and sage in between plants in my ornamental garden, too. They fit right in, look good and sometimes smell really great. Oh, I forgot the mint, too.

If we truly settle into a new home, I shall have to figure out how to have raised beds. Between my back and my knees, tending plants down on the ground is difficult.

What do you do about your knees, Tiamat?
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#6
Nature abhors a monoculture.
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#7
(01-21-2013, 12:03 AM)Clone Wrote:
(01-20-2013, 11:57 PM)Tiamat Wrote: I have a lawn. And I rent. But I still pulled out the strip in front and planted flowers, roses, tomatoes, peppers, and lettuce and peas every year. I mix it up. I usually get compliments when people look and realize they are not just looking at flowers but edibles too.

I like that idea...I have been growing basil, parsley, rosemary, cilantro and sage in between plants in my ornamental garden, too. They fit right in, look good and sometimes smell really great. Oh, I forgot the mint, too.

If we truly settle into a new home, I shall have to figure out how to have raised beds. Between my back and my knees, tending plants down on the ground is difficult.

What do you do about your knees, Tiamat?

I can't do kneeling. Not being able to makes gardening hard and my gardens aren't as good as they were once. In fact I think I'm ready for less landscape because it's harder for me to keep up with.
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#8
Somebody I know made raised beds out of stacked straw bales, filled with potting soil. The roots seemed to do especially well at the interface between straw and soil. The jury is still out on how long this is going to last though, I suspect it's going to become raised beds that merely consist of mounds eventually.
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#9
I've done straw bale gardening before. It works well but my cat kept sleeping on it and smashed the poor lil plants. I have to cat-proof all my seedling trays as well. He's notorious for sleeping on things he shouldn't.
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#10
This wasn't growing directly in the straw bales (although, I know that's possible) but rather, he made long planting beds surrounded by sides of straw bales - perhaps 3' worth of dirt inside them. It seemed to work surprisingly well, as the bales held moisture and kept the soil from getting too dry.
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#11
I wonder what theses towns would do if they raised sod in their front yards instead.
Once a year they pull up the lawn and replant.
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#12
You are a devil you, Chuckie. Smiling
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#13
(01-21-2013, 01:23 PM)PonderThis Wrote: You are a devil you, Chuckie. Smiling

That's what the JWs used to say after visiting my house.
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#14
(01-20-2013, 09:20 PM)Clone Wrote: [Image: 537435_459412987447652_1981858616_n.jpg]

Dear Sir/Madam:

<Snip>

In June of 2011 I faced a 93 day jail sentence for growing vegetables in my front yard.

<Snip>

I will eagerly await a response from you.

Thank you and best wishes,

Julie Bass
http://oakparkhatesveggies.wordpress.com/

Kudos' to the Bass family. Lots of fresh veggies right out front. Personally, I'd have no problem with a neighbor like this.

Me? I'm not a gardner. I Have no interest in it and go gladly to the market and buy from those who make a profit raising the stuff for me, and those like me.

Local governments do make laws about how we adorn our front (or back) yards. In the extreme we might want to prevent our neighbor from have four or five rusted old cars up on blocks in the front yard. A front yard of skunk cabbage might not be so great either. Or blackberries.

I have lawns in both my front and back yards. I also have Oak trees. And in fall, I have leaves up to my butt. The leaves are easy to rake from the lawns. Not so easy from bushes and other plants. I do fertilize and water the lawns. I fully expect that the day will come when water becomes too expensive to continue the practice. I'll use bark or something else that works when that day comes. But the lawns are attractive, and the traditional look they offer is pleasant to the eye. My lawn mower starts easily and does the job just fine. It's a cool and pleasant place for Sadie, my wonderful neighbor dog, to poop on summer mornings. (Picking it up is the price I pay for her company)

The real issue however is the Bass family's attitude about local government. Because this law makes little sense to them does not change the law. Until they can effect some change in the law, they should honor it. Or move. Living in "society" has it's downsides. One is that we can't make our own laws, however well intentioned.

When my local government outlaws lawns I'll tear my out. Until then, I'm going to enjoy the them.
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#15
You're such a law abider. Smiling
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