Garden to promote growing healthy food, people, and communities
February 10, 2010
First Lady Joann G. Camacho along with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Services Agency, represented by Tom Camacho, County Executive Director, and the Guam Department of Agriculture (DOAg), represented by Joaquin Naputi, Deputy Director, will announce the kick-off of the People’s Garden to promote “going green"
As part of preparations to embrace sustainable food, DOAg will unveil expanded plans for the People's Garden on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. The event will take place at the Salvation Army grounds in Tiyan (155004 Corsair Avenue).
This designated area will be utilized for the actual organic gardening of agricultural commodities such as vegetables (i.e. eggplant, tomatoes, green onions, herbs, Chinese cabbage), by volunteers which consist of the Salvation Army Lighthouse Recovery Center residents.
“The People’s Garden will assist residents in growing, consuming or marketing their own food, and result in improved community health, economic development, and revitalization,” said First Lady Camacho. “Additionally, it means cooperation and collaboration among the USDA Farm Services Agency, public-private partnerships, and the local government to develop sustainable agricultural systems.”
DOAg will be responsible for overseeing the technical assistance and support for the initial planting efforts, and will provide the seedlings for planting. Additional sites slated to be part of the People’s Garden will be announced at a later “Community gardens are a good thing that can help address the need for safe, nutritious food while simultaneously building connections among our people,” said First Lady Camacho. “The primary role of the People’s Garden is to serve as an educational tool to teach our people how to acquire sustainability while focusing on growing vegetables and fruits, and developing other healthy foods. This will certainly benefit our community’s current health-care situation.”
As noted by the USDA, the People’s Garden will promote better nutrition and emphasize the benefits of community gardening including increased access to affordable, fresh produce.
Other government agencies and non-profit organizations involved with the implementation of this program include the Hagåtña Mayor’s Office, the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority, the Department of Public Health and Social Services, the Department of Labor, the Attorney General’s Office, the Guam Environmental and Protection Agency, the Chamorro Land Trust Commission, the University of Guam- Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Works, and the Salvation Army.
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