From the site:
Who Will Be the First White House Farmer?
The United States has a White House chef . . . and now is the time for a White House Farmer.
Everyone, from your family and friends to our First Family and their guests, needs to know who grew their food and how it was grown.
There are hundreds of knowledgeable, passionate farmers out there who could fill this post, and we encourage you to nominate your favorite one. Simply click on the Nomination Form and tell us who you are nominating and why.
raison d’être: This site is a forum to follow up on Michael Pollan’s call for a White House Farmer. The farmer will be charged with transforming “five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant[ing] in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden” whose produce will be used by the White House Chef, and given to area food banks.
Please consider going to the site and voting for Claire Shader, a community gardener from Madison, Wisconsin. When I voted Monday afternoon, she was #2 and way ahead of #3.
Imagine a garden on the White House grounds -- what an inspiration!
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Meanwhile, I am knitting preemie hats for Jeanne.
That Michael Pollan; I'll vote. What an excellent idea.
Posted by: tut-tut | 27 January 2009 at 09:04 AM
I voted.
Your preemie hats are adorable. Times running out and I've only completed 1 1/2; I guess I'd better get moving!
Posted by: Julie | 27 January 2009 at 09:49 AM
How funny, I just read about Alice Waters asking for a 'Kitchen Cabinet', someone to advise the president on food issues:)
Posted by: Heather | 27 January 2009 at 09:56 AM
What an amazing idea - I know that I am going to be planting my veggie garden at home this year - we missed it far too much last year.
love your preemie hats!
Posted by: cursingmama | 27 January 2009 at 10:43 AM
I got a good chuckle out of the picture, but I'm surprised there isn't already a vegetable garden on the White House grounds. Around here, at least, lots of restaurants either have their own gardens or contract with local farms to provide them with fresh produce daily. I've even seen pictures of roof top gardens serving restaurants in New York City. So why not a vegetable garden at the White House?
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog) | 27 January 2009 at 10:45 AM
Done!
What a great idea. It's a shame that there hasn't been a garden at the White House before.
Love the teensy little hats.
Posted by: Cookie | 27 January 2009 at 11:40 AM
Most excellent idea. I'm even toying around with the idea of having a bigger veggie garden this year, even though I re-enrolled in my CSA. Obama could really set a wonderful example.
Posted by: Amy | 27 January 2009 at 02:20 PM
I love that American Gothic White House Garden picture! Of course, the American Gothic thing always gives me a flashback to the band Farm Accident: "I always knew I'd come to harm... down on the farm."
Tangential much, Chris?
Posted by: Chris | 27 January 2009 at 02:22 PM
Awesome hats! Thanks!
Posted by: Jeanne | 27 January 2009 at 02:29 PM
Victory Gardens at the White House! Splendid idea. And for all of us.
Ah, the hats! I've got to check the Ravelry forum and find out when I'm supposed to mail mine off.
Posted by: Carrie K | 27 January 2009 at 03:52 PM
It is rather easy to forget about where the food came from, especially if you aren't a gardener yourself. You just get to assuming that it somehow materializes on the plate...
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | 27 January 2009 at 04:38 PM
She does Troy Gardens? She's got my vote.
Posted by: cindy | 27 January 2009 at 06:54 PM
I voted. But I think the Obama kids should have to get out there and weed a little bit too. Did me good when I was growing up to pull up radishes and shell peas and corn. Best food evah!
Posted by: Diane | 27 January 2009 at 10:15 PM
Yup, I voted - here's a question, though. I'm all set to crank out preemie hats, but: what yarn are you using? I made one very sweet one but it seems scratchy, which those wee bitties do not need! (Did I mention my Lovely Daughter was a teensy herself?)
Posted by: dale-harriet in WI | 27 January 2009 at 11:38 PM
A garden at the White House would be so, so fabulous.
Posted by: Miss T | 30 January 2009 at 08:43 AM