I received a copy of American Grown written by Michelle Obama as a gift from my mom. I have to admit it wasn’t on my Christmas list, in fact I only vaguely remember hearing about the release of the book. Now I have to disclose that I am a total foodie. My mom jokes that she can always catch up on her “food reading” any time she visits my home. I love cookbooks, food photography, cooking and eating and I have more food magazine subscriptions than I can read in a month, so I am surprised I didn’t scoop this book up on release. Fortunately, I was able to sit down Christmas Day with a hot cup of tea, a fire in the fireplace and read this wonderful book cover to cover.

Mrs. Obama beautifully tells the story of the White House Kitchen Garden, her efforts to plot new garden space on the South Lawn and how the garden has propelled the launch of Let’s Move!, a nationwide initiative to address the childhood obesity epidemic. She had a goal to plant a garden at the White House, but more importantly to use the garden to ignite a national conversation about the importance of healthful foods and physical activity to the overall health and wellbeing of American families.

Food brings people together and the White House Kitchen Garden does just that. Tours are offered to school groups and children have the opportunity to work in the garden, prepare foods and taste the produce. Employees volunteer to work in the garden. White House guests taste the seasonal produce in the meals served. The garden is also a source of wonderful gifts for foreign dignitaries whom President and Mrs. Obama visit or host. 

American Grown is a wonderful coffee table book that you’ll enjoy reading or just paging through over and over again. The words and beautiful photography tell a fascinating story of a piece of our country’s history and evolution. The book also nicely highlights other communities using gardens to educate, employ and feed residents. After reading this book, you’ll be inspired to grow something, even just something small, and to support local growers in the New Ulm community.

It’s not too early to start thinking about signing up for a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share, shopping for seeds or supporting the local farmers market. Learn more at heartsbeatback.org/farmers-market-program.