During the World Wars of the early last century, our government created a national campaign of Victory Gardens to encourage us to grow our own food, thus ensuring that the food grown on larger farms could go to feed our troops.

The government mobilized and put huge resources into supporting and encouraging everyone to grow gardens in backyards, front yards, churches, businesses and community spaces. They created art to celebrate and inspire us all to see it as our civil duty to be self-sufficient.

WE DID IT BEFORE FOR THE WAR.

WE CAN DO IT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME FOR LOVE AND COMMUNITY.

THINGS CHANGE

In the 21st century, it’s clear our government has different priorities. This century’s generation has come to see that we cannot wait for D.C. to fix things for us or the planet.

This century is about us coming together independent of government. It’s about us uniting across party lines, the country and globe to create a nation of connected gardens again. But this time, instead of growing food to support wars, we will mobilize ourselves and grow food for love of our families, our communities, our country and our planet!

We have been inspired by an amazing program in Milwaukee called the Victory Garden Initiative. Their motto is “This is a Grassroots Movement- Move Grass. Grow Food.” They started in 2009 as a group of friends came together and planted 35 raised bed box gardens in the greater Milwaukee area. They called it The Greater Milwaukee Victory Garden Blitz. Since then they have installed over 5000 gardens.

https://victorygardeninitiative.org/services/blitz/

Can anyone apply for a scholarship? Yes, they can.

How do you choose who gets a scholarship? People are chosen based on financial need, eagerness to grow food with special consideration if kids and seniors will be involved in the garden.

What plants do I get with my garden package? We get our plants from Harvests and Habitats nursery. Sherri Scott picks the mix each time depending on what’s available and what grows best in Spring into summer. She chooses plants that grow well together and usually includes an herb and a flower in the mix. Six plants come with the 4×4 package, 12 with the 4×8.

What if I am out of town during the date of my city’s BLITZ? We ask that you get a friend or family member to be there during the installation. If that is not possible, please contact us and we will do our best to figure an alternative plan out.

Can I give the garden as a gift? Yes. And what a lucky recipient of your generosity!

Can I donate a garden to an organization? Yes, you can. Please put your request in the notes and we’ll coordinate with you.

Can an organization I support get more than one garden scholarship box? Yes, please contact us.

Can I get more than one scholarship box? Depending on how much is in the scholarship fund and how many people apply, we will consider providing folks with more than one box.

I want to volunteer but don’t have truck. Can I still help? Yes, you most certainly can. We are doing our best to get lots of trucks so that you can join another team. Show up and we’ll see what happens! No matter what, it’ll be fun.

Can I volunteer for more than one day? Yes, please.

Where does your soil come from? We have purchased the soil from a variety of local landscape places and businesses. Some have had better quality than others. We are testing the soil this year before making our final purchases. If this decision impacts you signing up, please contact Pamm at 530-570-6872 to talk about it.

What happens if my plants won’t grow? We will have someone come out and talk about what you are doing. If it’s a faulty plant pack, we will replace it. If it’s operator error, we’ll talk about it and do our best to support you getting on track.

What is the history of the Butte County Local Food Network garden blitz? We had our first BLITZ in March 2020…yup, right when the COVID lockdown started. Since then we have installed 415 gardens in backyards, schools, organization lawns and at a few of CHAT’s houses and HOPE and Everhart villages.