Victory garden revisited in Chicago

Daina Mileris, of Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood, picks dead leaves off a tomato vine at the garden at Peterson and Campbell avenues on Sunday. The vibrant urban garden is something of a historical monument in Chicago, having once been the site of a World War II victory garden. Photo by Heather Charles.

Project re-cultivates urban agriculture in West Ridge

By Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune
September 2, 2010

Excerpt:

A vacant lot at Peterson and Campbell avenues in Chicago’s West Ridge neighborhood has blossomed this summer into a vibrant urban garden — and something of a living historical monument. Once the site of a World War II victory garden, the long-fallow property near the northern edge of the city is blooming again with everything from tomatoes to corn.

Reviving the nearly 70-year-old wartime campaign to replenish scarce produce, the Peterson Garden Project is true to its roots, but also reflective of a growing trend toward localized, community-based agriculture.

Heidi Joynt, 28, of Evanston, was among the first to sign up, securing two plots to work on with her husband.

“I think the history of Americans taking their food source in their own hands in a time of need is really inspiring … it’s something that we shouldn’t lose sight of,” said Joynt, a youth farm coordinator for the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, who is growing cucumbers, squash, kale, peppers and an abundance of tomatoes.

“During World War II, Chicago really led the nation in the victory garden movement, and I think we can do it again,” said LaManda Joy, the West Ridge resident who organized the effort. “We need to take care of ourselves and be a little more self-sufficient.”

Read the complete article here.