The U.S. Department of Agriculture renewed the People's Garden Initiative across the country.
To announce the renewal, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack planted a tree at USDA headquarters, as reported in a May 3 news release. The People's Garden Initiative's aim is for people to grow fresh food in a way that is resilient and aids local food systems.
“The simple act of planting a garden can have big impacts – from building a more diversified and resilient local food system to empowering communities to come together around healthy food access, climate change and equity" Vilsack said, according to the release. "We’re committed to our priorities, and we are leading by example.”
The program also seeks to instruct citizens on how to garden using conservation practices that can nurture pollinators in addition to wildlife in a way that provides food for the population and greenspace for all people. The garden at the headquarters of the USDA will be joined by several gardens located in urban communities across the U.S. The People's Garden strives to cultivate plants in a variety of ways, some even friendly to people with limited mobility.
The garden has new signage that lets the public know about issues pertaining to sustainable gardening, such as pollinators and food waste reduction.
