The White House Organic Farm Project began as a non-partisan, petition-based initiative to respectfully request that our 44th President oversee the planting of an organic farm on the grounds of The White House, our nation’s First Home, at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, DC.
On March 20, 2009, the petition request was honored. First Lady Michelle Obama broke ground on the White House lawn, with the help of over twenty 5th graders from Bancroft Elementary School. The first harvest occurred only 100 days after the Obama family moved in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Oak leaf lettuce, red romaine, speckled lettuce, fennel were among the first varieties harvested.
Next we launched an online petition; a website hub where people could sign and learn more about the White House Organic Farm’s mission, the people behind the movement to plant an organic farm on the grounds of the White House, and what they can do to help. We created a corporate identity for group, made from 100% PCW (post consumer waste), non-chlorine bleached papers and printed with either soy inks (offset) or 100% non-toxic toner. The business cards were traditional sized pouches, filled with seeds based on location and hardiness zone. We printed little biodegradable (corn starch) guerrilla plant identifiers for distribution around public areas. And finally, the group purchased the piece de résistance; the Ben and Jerry’s “Topsy Turvey Bus,” which would become the mobile garden and mobile office for the White House Organic Farm’s cross country promotional road trip.
The four-season herb, fruit and vegetable garden will feature 25 varieties of heirloom seeds planted in slightly raised beds using succession planting methods. Here you can view the current garden layout posted by The White House.
Perennial Herbs:
Mint, Garlic Chives, Chives, Thyme, Oregano, Anise hyssop, Sage, Rosemary, Marjoram, Chamomile
Annual Herbs:
Parsley, Basil, Thai basil, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel
Vegetables:
Lettuces (Green Oak Leaf, Red Romaine, Butterhead, Speckled), Spinach, Onions, Shallots, Chard, Snap Peas, Shell Peas, Carrots, Black Kale, Rhubarb, Arugula, Tomatoes, Tomatillos, Peppers (sweet and hot), Beans, Cucumbers, Okra, Sweet Potatoes
Fruits:
Blueberries, Raspberries