As recently as 1800, close to 90% of Americans were farmers. We nurtured the land and each other. There was a sense of purpose and community. During World War II, over 40% of our food came from backyard “victory gardens”, but more recently we were taught to think farming was for someone else - we were too important to get our hands dirty.

Times are changing. Americans are now realizing that many of our current health problems are a direct result of our industrialized, mass produced food system. From food borne illnesses like salmonella to nutrient deficient (and bland tasting) fruits and vegetables, genetically modified crops, overuse of pesticides, and the proliferation of childhood diabetes and obesity, many Americans now more than ever are looking for healthier, tastier, and safer food alternatives that don’t travel an average of 1,500 miles to our plates.

We are yearning to reconnect to our ancestral roots, the land, and each other. In the process we are discovering that growing our own food has so much to offer: Community. Health. Independence. Growing and sharing our own food is incredibly rewarding and just feels so right. And our children?

That’s a whole other story...

When having a backyard food garden there will be times when you will want to show it to friends, family and neighbors your garden when the sun goes down. You can find excellent Kichler outdoor lighting at Kichler Superstore for just this purpose.