Backyard Farming

 Listen to the thoughts from several different Idahoans. “I’ve always been interested in eating good food, and also growing food.”  “We grow herbs and mostly fresh greens, lettuces, arigula, a lot of heirloom tomatoes.”  “We have a passion for growing herbs and vegetables. We grow them the natural way.”   “I think people are really going to want to know where their food is coming from, how it’s taken care of, how it’s grown, what products are used on it, when is it picked.”  

 The unstable economy has encouraged a record number of people with their own little piece of Idaho to buy seed packets, visit nurseries and attend educational classes so they can plant a backyard garden. Many of them have never even tried to grow a geranium, let alone raise a meal.  In 2009, 43 million U.S. households plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs, according to a recent report from the National Gardening Association (NGA). That's up 19 percent -- from 36 million -- in 2008. Ya’ gotta love the American spirit. Thumbing our nose at the economy with a green thumb.