here's more information about the white house farmer and about claire:
from the website: The farmer will be charged with transforming “five prime south-facing acres of the White House lawn and plant[ing] in their place an organic fruit and vegetable garden” whose produce will be used by the White House Chef, and given to area food banks.
from an email:
from the website:
Claire Strader - Troy Community Farm
Claire is just the woman to turn 5 acres of the White House lawn into the nation’s premier urban farm. Claire has worked in small-scale organic agriculture for 15 years, including her 8 years at Troy Community Farm where she turned a 5-acre parcel of weedy urban landscape into a highly productive and wonderfully beautiful vegetable farm. Not only does Claire produce food for CSA, market, and wholesale on this small urban farm, she also educates college students, high-school youth, and adult volunteers through the farm’s internship programs. Claire is an excellent farmer and educator who could not only feed the first family and others in the DC community well, but also serve as a brilliant role model for future farmers all over this country.
What’s more, Claire’s farm is part of a larger non-profit that also runs a 5-acre community garden, a restored prairie, and several kids’ gardening programs on 26 open acres in the city of Madison, WI. Community GroundWorks at Troy Gardens not only feeds people, it also teaches people to feed themselves. Claire’s work with this organization connects her with other growers and educators who have the skills and ambition to help this country both eat local and grow local. First the White House lawn, then the lawns across the nation!
Tags: Claire Strader, Troy Gardens
Claire Strader is an excellent candidate for this position for many, many reasons. She has an intimate connection with the earth, farming, teaching, interpreting and engaging others in growing nutritious foods in contexts that demonstrate our rich natural assets as well as the role that people from all backgrounds can play in the food system. Troy Gardens is a shining example of what hard work and collaboration can do to serve the community and world…and thrive, and Claire Strader has played a key role in creating that example.