Behind the WHO Farm Project
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 9:41 AM 
By all accounts, the White House kitchen garden has become quite a sensation. During work on our upcoming Mrs. O book, we were amazed by how often the garden would come up in conversation. When we asked the legendary Diane von Furstenberg if she had a favorite Michelle Obama style moment, she responded, "When [Michelle Obama] planted a vegetable garden in the White House lawn."
Mrs. O has said the kitchen garden was high on her list of priorities as First Lady. Supporting the effort, alongside other influential voices, was The Who Farm Project. The project was a cross-country non-partisan campaign for a White House organic farm, led by Daniel Bowman Simon and Casey Gustowarow. The two young men had previously lived on the same island (Bohol) during their Peace Corps assignment in the Philippines. Now that the garden has come to fruition, the guys have even launched a Thank You Michelle Obama effort. We wanted to understand more about their project and mission, which we're delighted to share below:
What inspired TheWhoFarm Project? What was your mission?
There were many inspirations. One was a desire to highlight the wonderful opportunities to to improve on our flawed food and healthcare system, and the way we feed our nation's most precious natural resource, our children, and restore our very connection to the land. It's wonderful that I can quote what Michelle Obama said at the White House on Tuesday: "Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure are all diet-related health issues that cost this country more than $120 billion each year. That's a lot of money. While the dollar figure is shocking in and of itself, the effect on our children's health is even more profound."
American history is another significant inspiration. Eleanor Roosevelt was the last First Lady to have a vegetable garden planted at the White House. She inspired many millions of Americans to do the same. And one of our most revered Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson wrote “Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, and they are tied to their country and wedded to it’s liberty and interests by the most lasting bands.”
Barack Obama and John McCain were inspirations as well. They both ran on campaigns of change. And all throughout his campaign, Obama's website banner read: "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours..." If that's not an uplifting marching order, I don't know what is!
The mission was plain and simple. "We the people respectfully request that an organic farm be planted on the grounds of The White House, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC." We journeyed out across America on an upside-down school bus, talking common sense to farmers and to folks who shopped at farmers markets, to students and teachers, to young and old. Our bus was not just a means of transport, but a platform to invite discussion, and we brought a lot of good attention to the cause. Our recipe for success recommended that DC public school kids work in the garden, that seeds sourced from Thomas Jefferson's gardens at Monticello and that the harvest be shared with a local hunger relief organization. These are all elements incorporated in the White House Kitchen Garden!
How and when did organic gardening become important to you?
When I was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines, I bought most of my food from farmers I knew, and spent time with lots of people who grew food in their yards. They couldn't afford chemicals, so organic was the default growing method. The food ALWAYS tasted delicious, and it was such a wonderful feeling to feel a direct connection to the land that nourished me. My partner on TheWhoFarm tour, Casey Gustowarow, was also a Peace Corps volunteer and spent a lot of his time gardening. (Incidentally, the stylish White House Executive Chef Christeta Comerford is Filipino, and has recently spoke of childhood memories of her family's veggie garden.) When I returned to New York after Peace Corps, I discovered that community gardeners were some of my most favorite people. And that the thing that kept me most sane in the NYC Concrete Jungle was my regular trips to the farmers markets. The organic growers always seem to be the most eager to have a conversation about how they cultivate their land! And the other shoppers at the markets always have time to say hello and share a great recipe.
Why is an organic garden at the White House, in particular, so important and symbolic?
It's not only the location, it's also about Michelle. It is not just a garden, it is a platform, the ultimate soapbox. All Americans identify with The White House. And it just so happens that we lucked out that on January 20, the most popular woman in the World took up residency at the White House. As you know from running Mrs-O, it is mind-boggling just how popular the Obamas have become, and how much attention is paid to every last detail in their lives. (There is a similar blog about the Obamas and food, Obama Foodorama. To prove how popular the subject matter, google "Obama Blog" and that blog shows up higher ranked than the official whitehouse.gov blog!) Every newspaper and magazine article about gardening seems to start: "Michelle Obama is growing her own food, here are 5 steps to starting your own home veggie garden..." Twitter is off the hook with people tweeting about their Michelle-inspired gardens. The statesman (and Illinois farmer) Adlai Stevenson said of Eleanor Roosevelt, "she would rather light a candle than curse the darkness, and her glow has warmed the world." No doubt he'd say the same about Michelle Obama. This garden is where hope meets change.
Have you had a chance to see the garden first hand?
To borrow a thought from Jonas Salk, there are three stages of a worthwhile idea. Initially, everyone tells you that it is silly will never happen. Gradually, people begin to accept that it might be an alright idea that could happen, but not very important. And in the end, the common refrain is "yeah, that's awesome, and we always knew it."
When we were on the road, and people told me I was nuts or wasting my time, I could close my eyes and picture beautiful, abundant vegetables growing on the White House lawn. So, in that sense, yeah, I've seen the garden. But no, I haven't been in DC since the inauguration. The important thing for me is that this garden exists, and it is incredible beyond my wildest dreams. I am 1000X more excited that the First Lady invited DC public school kids to be an integral part of this garden than I would have been if she invited us... I'll tell you though, I'd really love a Bancroft Elementary School t-shirt. And of course if they need help weeding, I'd be more than happy to throw on my Sunday Best and hop the next Greyhound to DC.
What do you hope the country learns from the White House kitchen garden?
That common sense prevails. That anything is possible. That even the busiest people in the world can find time to be mindful about their food choices. That kids are incredible gardeners and teachers. That it's OK to get your nice clothes a little dirty. That you can share your bounty with needy folks. (The White House donates some of the harvest to nearby Miriam's Kitchen, where Mrs. Obama has also volunteered.) This garden has already proven that it can stimulate plenty of conversation and action. Who else can throw a party and simultaneously teach America about food deserts, a shocking and disturbing problem in many low-income minority neighborhoods right here in the USA? Here's a bit of what she said: "With few grocery stores in their neighborhoods, residents are forced to rely on convenience stores, fast food restaurants, liquor stores, drug stores and even gas stations for their groceries." And we all know what kind of food is sold at those establishments. Gardening equals more local self reliance and a reversal of the food desert trend, and that is one thing the First Lady is encouraging. Michelle Obama launched Summer of Service on Monday. Among the suggested forms of service are Community Gardens and Feeding America's Hungry. Nobody can call her a poser. She is truly leading by example, from a little kitchen garden that could!
Now that there's an official White House kitchen garden - what's next for your guys?
We've got a Thank You Mrs. Obama project on our website. We believe in the philosophy that "silent gratitude is of use to nobody." We feel that everyone who likes what Mrs. Obama is doing in the garden should let her know that her efforts are not going unnoticed. So we are collecting letters and other artwork to compile into a book and to present directly to Mrs. Obama. So we are asking everyone to download a little presentation on our journey and the history of the White House Kitchen Garden thus far, and to send in your contributions. (We figure readers of a fashion blog and their kids might have some pretty creative ways to express thanks.)
As for where we are physically, we are both getting our fingernails dirty. I am just beginning to learn how to cultivate the land on organic farm in Connecticut, and Casey Gustowarow, my partner on TheWhoFarm, is right back where he started, at an organic farm in Virginia. The land is where it's at!
Most stylish vegetable or herb?
I'm going to go with okra (known, by the way, as Lady's Fingers in other parts of the world.) I never ate okra growing up because my mother always talked about her repulsion of okra's sliminess. But the first time I saw okra growing in a garden, I knew I had to taste it. The pod looked so dignified, pointed straight up to the sun, with a drop-dead divine flower that is only in bloom for one day before turning into an okra pod -- light yellow petals with a resplendent reddish-purple center. I couldn't resist, and so, I picked a pod and discovered that even raw, it is loaded with flavor (and not at all slimy). Okra is also quite pretty on the inside. Stir-fried okra or okra cooked with tomatoes or citrus tends to prevent sliminess as well. I should mentioned that Thomas Jefferson was an okra lover who did what he could to popularize it in America. And I can't wait for the Sam Kass' first White House okra recipe. Party at my house! I'd also appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge publicly my lifelong love affair with brussels sprouts.
Reader Comments (26)
What a fantastic and inspiring article! The little garden that could, indeed!
I'm going straight to that website to log thanks to Mrs O for starting the garden (because dammit she must have inspired thousands of people to have a go).
I love my garden. I wish everyone could have the fun our of their produce that we do with ours. We've been eating strawberries for weeks now, picked and eaten straight away! Came down to breakfast last week, and there were four potatoes on the worktop - my husband had found them that morning. Our first new potatoes of the year! We've enjoyed watercress, peas, potatoes. Now I'm waiting for courgettes and beans, squash, butternut squash, tomatoes, lettuces, leeks, aubergines, parsnip, carrots, beetroot, pumpkins......
What an amazing piece. You have inspired me to start a garden of my own! :)
I wish I could start a garden, that would be so cool. Live in an apartment though. If anyone has suggestions on how to start a garden living in an apartment, I'd be grateful.
Sorry, but I will never eat okra. Or lima beans. Or brussel sprouts. (I will however feast on spinach.)
I have an organic garden. I'm going with heirloom tomatoes this year. May expand the "heirloom" to other vegetables depending on how these do. The first thing that went in was the apricot tree, though. I never eat store apricots. Waste of time. Tasteless.
Urban gardens are growing in popularity. People are tearing up front lawns to plant gardens. Going back to pre WWII days when the average person didn't have a useless, water-guzzling, time consuming lawn but a usefull garden in their front yard. Only the ostentatiously wealthy had expanses of lawns and groundskeepers.
I remember when John Kerry was running for president and his wife, Theresa Heinz-Kerry, was asked what would be her "issue" if she became First Lady. She said it would be childhood obesity. I was a Kerry supporter anyway, but that convinced me even more. It is an issue that has been ignored too long, one that is entrenched in US society, and it's costing us millions of dollars, and even more in precious lives.
Fade out to Ohio . . .
Now we have MO on the case, and she's leading by example in so many ways. It is very exciting to see.
And - finally - a little respect for OKRA!!
This is a lovely article and advances the garden's position in our popular culture. The first commenter clearly is an actual gardener and know that it takes a lot of diligent work to successfully plant and maintain a large garden. The potential drawback of the White House garden is that some could think that it was actually planted and maintained by Mrs Obama. We know the reality is that she advanced the idea, bought the seeds, posed for some pictures and looked to the White House gardening staff to take it from there. They have produced a wonderful plot and even mulch the garden so that it is picture perfect! Hopefully, those inspired to plant gardens will tough it out through the work and change will occur in eating habits as a result. Let's hope so. The writers of this article will have helped accomplish this and I congratulate them for their effort and their inspiring story.
I'm sorry to see this blog go so OFF topic. Let Lynn Sweet or the Huffingtonpost run these types of articles. I understand it's not every day that Mrs. O makes fashion news so there are bound to be some lulls in coverage. But I'd rather if you'd go back to an outfit worn by Mrs. O during the campaign and we can discuss that. There are many outfits worn by Mrs. O that are not posted on this website (from the campaign and other past events). Dig those up and we can discuss the before and after style of Mrs. O. Alternatively, we could discuss designers we would like to see worn by Mrs. O. I'd like to see Mrs. O in every picture and make it all about the clothes. So everyone go ahead and unleash the wrath. Let the flames begin. I know this will not be a popular comment but I already subscribe to about 10 other Obama news websites and this is my ONLY OBAMA FASHION FIX. Please don't break it!!
Ruth, your post is really not that big a thing to be flamed over --so relax. It seems to me like your criticisms would have been better shared privately, but that's just me.
I wish I could see eye-to-eye with the guys on okra, but I'm not there yet! :-) But I'm down with almost all other veggies. I've even come to an uneasy truce with beets, though they'll never be a fave.
I agree with Ruth Leslie. This site portrayed itself as "following the fashion of MRS. O, what and who she's wearing"
The fact of the matter is that there are plenty of websites that go into details about the works of the first lady (which I am very interested in, don't get me wrong) however MRS-O is one of the few if not the only one that originally started representing the first lady fashion (Remember London) where Mrs T was invited in many cable news channels? That is MRS.O.org brand. IMHO this site needs to stay on message
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Anyway, about the first lady fashion, there are new pics in Getty.
http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=michelle%20obama&assetType=image&src=quick
I love the jacket. I wish the belt was a lil smaller but she looks great.
Wait I thought when Mrs T moved the site she indicated they would be expanding to cover other things related to Mrs O ,like substantive things.
I hate to sound mean but if you don't like Mrs. O platform or the way Mrs. T post on HER site, then you are invited to exit the site. if you disagree with the format or the message, there is a proper mode to send her a message instead of sounding like she owes you something. This is a labor of love for Mrs T and her staff. In the process folks started coming to the site to see the pictures and get details on Mrs O. Sorry I am a flamer because i do not like ungrateful folks. You don't like it, don't comment and wait for the next picture. In other posting she has posted excerpts of Mrs Obama's speech.
Sorry I am part of the few who along with the fashion would like substantive stuff once in a while. Fashion plus Brains wins. Go Mrs T and thank you
Hmm... Well I wouldn't worry too much about it. It doesn't reflect a major change in focus in the site. It was something I was inspired by and decided to share.
Plus, is it just me, or does gardening not fall into the larger definition of style? Personally, I think having a garden is about the chicest thing one could do at the moment, and Mrs. O's influence is a big part of that.
Briana, I would take you more seriously if you were a moderator of this site....I think Mrs T will not cosign your rethoric... Saying that fashion is not substantive though just shows your degree of intelligence....We can all debate an issue respectfully, but don't tell me to "exit" the site just because you don't agree with me....
OH by the way do not call me "ungrateful". The fact is that this site is successful because of each and every person who visit and contribute in this website. If different opinions are not welcome here, then I will gladly skip it for many others. pfffffff.......
@ Mimi, I stand by my comments. The fact that you needed to post twice to make a point says alot about you.
I did not say fashion was not substantive i said: "they would be expanding to cover other things related to Mrs O ,like substantive things." So jumping to conclusion that fashion is not substantive comes from your own perception and defensive means. If i am correct it was from this blog i read some Mrs O speeches or award speeches.
I further stated "Sorry I am part of the few who along with the fashion would like substantive stuff once in a while. Fashion plus Brains wins." Yes I would like substantive stuff once in a while, I would like to know what she is doing "once in a while" it puts things into context. For example the dress posted underneath needed need context, needed an understanding on why she was wearing that and what it means. Fashion requires brains, its just not aesthetic. The fact that the gardening adds something to the blog likewise the TIME magazine excerpt posted on this blog about Mrs. Obama, her fashion, her job and her aspirations.
With regards to my intelligence, i suggest you go back and read your comments. There is a difference between having an opinion and being dismissive. My comment were not directed at you but the initial poster whom i found to be dismissive but since its now about you, then its fine with me.
I am not going to get in a circular argument with you, so I am done with you. I will make sure not to direct my commentary to you in the future. I guess disagreeing with folks walks in both ways. Have a great day.
I must be the crazy one, because I cannot imagine coming into someone else's "house" and telling them how to run things. I don't think any of us are paying a dime for this. And even if I thought that my opinions really mattered, I wouldn't bust on someone publicly like that. The tone is so, like, "gimme what I want! " There's got to be a better way to express oneself.
Anyhoo, Mrs. T., I'm glad you felt inspired to share, it's a fun interview and for goodness sakes, there's nothing wrong with not spending every moment on belts. And gardens are definitely "fashionable" at the moment. If only I had a little piece of land to start one.
I'm very happy to see a thread on one of Mrs. O's great causes -- her wonderful garden, and the inspiration it gives to so many. I live in the shade, so I don't have a chance to garden for vegetables. But I remember the large gardens we had on the farm as I grew up. I really didn't know what it was to buy a vegetable, either summer or winter, until I was much older. We do have great farmer's markets nearby, though, and there's nothing like that fresh produce.
I appreciate having a chance to recognize and comment on Mrs. O's more substantive role as First Lady on this site. She wants a more substantive role, and so it seems fitting that this site also give her that.
I like the fashion bits best of all, but I also crave info about Mrs. O, period. Even though the site is billed as following the fashions that Mrs. O wears, I've always been comfortable when it expanded to her overall style. We talk about the dishes she serves lunch on, the different, creative kinds of events she is hosting, the dog, and now the garden. To me this is all lifestyle - we are all more than the clothes we wear.
I suppose Mrs. T could have presented the WH garden in a chat room thread, and we could all comment there, but that seems a little elaborate to me.
This might be off-track, but I think it's lovely to have an article behind the outfits we've seen Mrs. O in on more than one occasion while she's been in the garden. I rather like the breath of fresh air. If it weren't for the garden, we wouldn't be seeing the various work clothes, sneakers, boots, etc.
Thanks for the article Mrs. T. It was great and so very fashionable! Gardening is great fun and very gratifying. You can do this on a small patio in containers...don't need an acre of land. Tomatoes are easy and a good starter plant.
Try fried Okra, southern style, it's wonderful.
@Briana Regarding your invitation to exit the site, I think Coca-cola once asked the creator of Pepsi to do the same. Those invitations bring more harm than good.
In any case, I can see why some people would find it convenient to get their Michelle Obama News alongside their Michelle Obama Fashion News.
My voice joins the chorus (Ruth Leslie, etc) calling to keep this blog strictly FASHION-oriented. It's tempting to head in other directions, but we don't need another sprawling website on the Obamas and politics.
As has been previously stated, there WILL be lulls in coverage and I can handle that. As someone suggested, review earlier clothes or give us some interesting Obama-related fashion sleuthing.
Thanks for "hearing" me out....
Warmly, SD
Mrs. T -
I have been a lifelong avid gardener and I love that you posted this interview. IMO Mrs. O is very committed to organic gardening, healthy food, and good nutrition, and that is part of who she is and therefore part of her style. I really enjoyed this post and would love it if you were to give us more posts like this.
On a side note, I much prefer a change of pace like this post after reading some of the comments posted on the main thread over the last few days. I can't imagine that hypothetical posters who would find fault with this post would condone posts about so-called fluctuating weight, who walks the dog, and pooper scoopers. At least I hope not.....(smile)
@Christina - my sister in DC is converting some of her plot to veggies - and - containers are great for veggie gardening. I planted tomatoes and herbs for my daughter and she has them on her apartment balcony. She is so excited because one of her cherry tomatoes is getting some color!
I respectfully and gently call all posters to remember that this is Mrs T's blog.
Having been inspired to start it up, having built it, maintained it and turned it into a massive success, she's really the only one who's earned the say-so on what stuff gets up here.
As with an outfit, if you don't particularly go for a day's article, then there's nothing much to say that day. No big deal. (And believe me, I scramble on here every day mad to see a new outfit, sad, saaad little muppet that I am. But even when there isn't a new outfit, I still have a nice day.)
I for one was delighted to see this article. It is inspiring and lovely that these guys took on this plan with such commitment and followed it through until they'd achieved their goal - and are now as keen on thanking the First Lady for doing such a great thing. And educated so many people along the way. It's an epic undertaking and all for the nation's good! Amazing.
Plus, food choices, fitness, health, well-being are really important topics that the First Lady is highlighting. So I think it was a relevant post.
As Bevi says, you don't need land to grow a lot of veggies. I have a small container garden on my patio, but it supplies us with nearly a winters worth of potatoes, onions, garlic and many other vegetables. This year I am hoping to get through an entire winter without buying veg from the shops!
Style is so much more than what a person wears, and this post shows another facet of Mrs. O's influence as a trend setter. You can't separate fashion from the person who wears it, so thanks so much for this great post.
So glad to hear you call Okra the best vegetable. I love them. We eat them a lot in Jamaica. Good way to cook them is to fry onions in a little oil, a little curry powder, then add the okras, cover and simmer for 10 mins. They will be crisp on the outside and totally delicious and not slimy.
ENJOY!