The cash strapped Oak Park, which should arguably spend its dwindling financial resources and efforts on more serious municipal matters, contends that Ms. Bass’ garden violates city code which requires front yards to consist of “suitable live plant material”.
Huh?
Last time I checked, vegetables growing in a garden are indeed alive! With regards to “suitable”, a plant that can be consumed by the people tending it does seem to qualify, don’t you think?
It seems the City of Oak Park considers pesticide and chemically fertilized grass to be more “suitable” front yard greenery than a humble vegetable garden.
Such foolishness reminds me of the stories I used to hear back in my Cold War school days when our Civics teacher would tell a roomful of wide eyed and incredulous children about Russian peasants being hauled off to jail for growing their own food! In Communist societies, no one “owns” anything .. any vegetables that were grown had to be commissioned and approved by the State.
Nothing like that could ever happen in the good ‘ole US of A, right?
One can only hope that Ms. Bass’ neighbors and the community of Oak Park will flood the city phone lines with complaints over such over the top harassment. Imagine that tax dollars are actually being used to pay for this outrage.
If you believe Ms. Bass has a right to grow a well-maintained garden on her front yard, please go here to sign a petition to stop the harassment of her family by City authorities. The petition is close to the goal of 10,000 signatures.
Take a look at a picture of Ms. Bass’ vegetable garden and how beautifully it is maintained by clicking here.
Sarah Pope has been a Health and Nutrition Educator since 2002. Her work is dedicated to helping families effectively incorporate the principles of ancestral diets within the modern household. She is a sought after lecturer around the world for conferences, summits, and podcasts.
Her work has been covered by major media including USA Today, ABC, NBC, and many others.
Egg Foo Yung Recipe: Solution to the Egg Doldrums
Its a good idea from time to time to ask ourselves: “Does for government work for us or do we work for the government?” We never really have the luxury of not participating in government process. This cause seems like a good rallying point to clear the deck of bureaucratic knot heads.
Ciao, Pavil
To fine someone for growing vegetables in their front yard is the height tyranny. When we lose the ability to provide food for ourselves we are in serious trouble!
As ridiculous as this sounds to e and as excessive as jail is, some cities/communities have standing ordinances. My own development has covenants that restrict having a vegetable garden in view of the public rights of way. I hate it but it’s the way it is and I have to abide by it until I move. If this is the case where this woman lives she ought to have repect for the ordinances. Should those ordinances even exist? Personally I think it’s silly. you have to think she was probably aware, like her neighbors who are complaining are. If they moved into that community because of the ordinances, what about there rights?
Jail For Planting a Vegetable Garden? – The Healthy Home Economist
http://ow.ly/5AMWE
I signed. It is over 10,000 now. I live in an HOA neighborhood, unfortunately. You are suppose to get approval for anything you do that shows from the street, not that we have done that. It’s annoying. I would love to plant edibles in my front yard. Instead, people here have the mentality that our yards should look like we live at the country club. People have riding lawn mowers for their tiny yards. We have Chem Lawn in here. Of course every spring, summer we are out every week cutting the grass with our power mowers that have to have oil and gas. I’ve been wanting to get a push mower that at least doesn’t require that. I have admired some front yards in town that are filled with flowers. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to grow flowers and veggies all around the home?