Among fourteen major displays ushering in the beginning of spring at the Chicago Flower and Gardens Show starting this weekend is The Growing Connections (TGC) project. TGC— a grass-roots project developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the American Horticultural Society— will present "EarthBox: vegetable gardening for every locale."
A unique, water and fertilizer efficient growing system, the EarthBox was developed by Blake Whisenant & Dr. Carrol Geraldson PhD. The EarthBox system can be used to grow plants successfully almost anywhere. On EarthBox.com, Blake Whisenant, the inventor of the EarthBox, describes the basic concept behind his system. "Maximum yields, minimum maintenance, and gardening that is simple and friendly to our environment," he writes.
With the fight against hunger and obesity on the rise, TGC engages school children— mainly from the US, Latin America and Africa— in the science of growing food, sharing experiences using information technology, and exploring innovative measures to help solve local and world nutritional concerns.
For example, a student in Chicago may share experiences of growing a tomato plant with a student in Africa; these students can learn from one another, not only about growing vegetables, but also about the other child's culture.
"[From this experience] the students have become more interested in life science, and now have an intimate involvement with vegetables," explains Bob Patterson from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. "Some kids are out selling the vegetables— they could end up building a career through sustainable foods. From working together, these kids learn respect and tolerance for other cultures."
The program works together with the Garfield Park Conservatory, the University of Illinois Extension Service and the Illinois Master Gardeners program to provide horticultural guidance to nearly a dozen Chicago Public Schools. "Chicago is an ideal pilot site because it builds on all of the green initiatives put into place by Mayor [Daley] and by the community," continues Mr. Patterson, "It is a new dimension that brings food and fighting hunger into peoples' lives."
Demonstrations on how to use the EarthBox will be scheduled later this summer at the Garfield Park Conservatory. The 12th Annual Chicago Flower and Gardens Show at Navy Pier begins Saturday March 11th until the 19th.
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