
The petition is to plant an organic farm in the grounds of the White House in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC. It has been signed by more than 10,000 Americans. The organic farm in the White House would provide fresh, healthy, and chemical-free food for the President, the First Family, and their distinguished guests. It would also provide healthy food to public schools in Washington. The grand idea is to turn the splendid meadow south of the presidential mansion, and convert it into an Eden ‘garden of organic vegetables and fruits.’ The size is all of 1.6 hectares or the equivalent of three football fields.
The idea of agribusiness right inside the US Capitol is not entirely novel. In 1800, the second president John Adams personally planted the first presidential orchard. Woodrow Wilson filled the White House premises with sheep in 1918 to fertilize the soil. And in 1943 despite the objections of the Department of Agriculture, Eleanor Roosevelt planted a ‘victory garden’ during World War II.
The organizers are confident that their petition will catch fire with the First Family. After all Barack and Michelle cares about healthy diets as much as they are concerned with the health of their two growing daughters. Moreover, this is a good chance for Barack Obama to showcase his being a green president who is not only expected to talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to all the environmental causes he promised to espouse. This farm will make him eat the talk as well.
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Via planet green