A Brief
HISTORY
ORIGINS OF COMMUNITY GARDENS
The first community gardens appeared in the United States around 1890, but they were few and far between. The initial jump in popularity happened during the first and second world war with the call for “war gardens.” In 1917, Charles Lathrop Pack created the US National War Garden Commission; these gardens helped provide food for millions of people. Pack estimated that the five million gardens in the United States produced 528,285,000 pounds of food per year (Pack 15). The Great Depression necessitated continued use of community gardens after their implementation in World War I, but it was World War II that solidified community gardens into American culture and influenced them to change into the practical form that are used today.
Nationally, it wasn’t until the 1970s that community gardens became popular again. During this time, multiple organizations formed to combat poor conditions in urban areas and the rise of gas prices. These programs— the American Community Garden Association, in particular—would implant an agenda of community service that can still be seen today. During the 1980s, funding for community gardens increased and some of the growing number of vacant plots in inner cities were repurposed as community gardens. The 1990s saw state and local governments begin to offer grants to form new community gardens.
The first community gardens in
Lexington were a part of the war
gardens initiative, but after the war
ended, many were abandoned.
Until about 10 years ago, there were
hardly any community gardens in
Lexington. This all changed when
Jim Embry moved from Detroit to
Lexington, bringing his ideas of
shared green spaces with him (Fortune). He believed that, in addition to improving the physical health of a community, a garden can bring the community together and “help young people develop leadership skills... and connect to their elders.” (Fortune). Beginning in 2005, he helped start several of the first modern community gardens in Lexington. He also inspired Ryan Koch to found Seedleaf, a nonprofit on mission to “increase the amount, affordability, nutritional value, and sustainability of food available to people at risk of hunger” (Koch)(Fortune).
Today, community gardens are commonplace in Lexington. They can be found beside churches, schools, and the UK Arboretum, as well as in the heart of downtown neighborhoods.(Fortune). Seedleaf alone has grown to own and run sixteen gardens in the area (Koch). With the help of approximately 250 volunteers annually, Seedleaf gardens provide healthy food, gardening experience, and various youth programs for hundreds of Lexingtonians (Koch). These gardens catalyze community building while being a crucial element to the global fight against food insecurity.
COMMUNITY GARDENS IN LEXINGTON
GARDENING IN LEXINGTON TODAY
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Gardening for Relief: World War II Victory Gardens