9/23/2008 9:49:00 PM Organic farmers want to plant on the White House lawn
Bruce Colbert/The Daily Courier
Daniel Bowman Simon, left, and Casey Gustowarow stopped in Prescott Tuesday on a cross-country trip promoting organic foods. They want the next president to plant crops on the White House lawn. Their bus, the WhoFarmMobile, comprises two mini-buses welded together. A garden grows on its roof.
PRESCOTT - Casey Gustowarow and Daniel Bowman Simon want the next president of the United States to plow the White House lawn and plant organic crops.
"If the president would plant crops on the White House lawn, that would set an example for the rest of the country to follow," Gustowarow said.
The two 20-somethings left New York City Aug. 15 in a modified mini school bus called the WhoFarmMobile. They are crisscrossing the country to educate people about the benefits of homegrown food and to collect signatures on a petition urging the next president to plant crops and feed hungry Americans.
"WhoFarm" is short for White House Organic Farm Project.
On the first leg of their trip, they attended the Slow Food Nation convention at San Francisco, and visited university campuses and family farms to talk about farming. Now, the bus is pointed east toward Washington, D.C.
The WhoFarm bus actually is two mini-buses welded together - one sits upside down on top of the other. The roof is an open-air garden complete with vegetables and herbs.
"We planted a garden on the roof to show that if we can grow food on the roof of our bus, then there is no reason people cannot grow food in their own backyard," Gustowarow said.
The bus-farmers parked on Gurley Street Tuesday morning at Coffee Roasters in Prescott. In between telephone calls and Internet correspondence, they collected petition signatures, talked about organic farming methods and accepted donations for gas.
"I think it's a good idea," Bill Dixon, a former rodeo competitor, said while looking at the bus. "I've eaten organic stuff in salads and I like it."
Bob Carpenter, a Prescott contractor, supports organic foods and modified school busses.
"I think what they did with the two buses is cool. They did an amazing job of putting them together," he said. "But what they are doing is really good. I support organic farmers and farmers' markets."
"Our idea is to show people that you do not need a lot of space for growing food," Gustowarow said. "And you can make it look beautiful, too."
Simon and Gustowarow met five years ago when the Peace Corps stationed them in the Philippines. Internationally known restaurateur Alice Waters encouraged them to make the trip.
"We had lunch with her and she inspired us so much about organic and healthy foods," Simon said.
"I am an organic farmer and I think what they are doing is a good idea," Becka Deal, Coffee Roasters barista, said. "Food needs to be localized. Every home should have a garden."
The WhoFarm bus has a kitchen, beds and three rows of seats. Cell phones and wireless Internet keep the two travelers in communication with family and friends.
Gustowarow's girlfriend is farming in Kansas, and Simon said he is "married to the project."
"The White House lawn is symbolic land. We own that land. Our taxes pay for it," Gustowarow said. "We need to get back to our agriculture roots. Even as recently as World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt planted a victory garden at the White House lawn. If she could do it then, we all can do it now."
More information about the White House Organic Project is available online at www.TheWhoFarm.org.
Contact the reporter at bcolbert@prescottaz.com
Reader Comments
Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Article comment by:
E
Why not plant a garden on the Court House lawn for starters. I support organic agriculture, but give me a break, I do not want to see the white house lawn turned into an organic garden. The real idiots here are the Daily Courier staff for printing this kind of nonsense.
Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Article comment by:
tongue-in-cheek
It is all a FAD. This too will pass. Each decade we get NEW buzz words that are actually MARKETING scams that work on certain people. In the 1980's it was "NATURAL", 1990's everything had to be "FRESH", then with the turn of the century it is now "ORGANIC". Soon another buzz word will send the gang flocking to a new mantra. REAL farmers have a good chuckle at all these marketing ploys.
The White House Lawn should be used to demonstrate what should happen to those who jump our fences.
Posted: Thursday, September 25, 2008
Article comment by:
Not a Liberal - But Support the Cause!
I LOVE how you folks are so open minded! With attitudes like yours, no wonder why it is so hard to make changes in this society. I choose to applaud any efforts for folks to support organic agriculture and what better way to start a movement but in our own backyards. If this makes me a sap for applauding people that TRY to make a difference - then so be it!
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Tom
What an IDIOT!!!!! How about a couple of pigs and cows? Oh, and don't forget some chickens.
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Tax-paying Republican
I love how the Courier deems every local example of liberals doing their typical "feel-good effort that changes nothing" projects as worthy of reporting.
How about these clowns get a job and start contributing to society?
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Anonymous
Do these folks have any idea what it would actually take for the average person to plant, tend and harvest enough food every year to make a measurable difference in their overall food supply and thus the overall food supply of the country?
Planting crops on the White House lawn indeed. Sure, some saps will say "hey, at least they are TRYING to make a difference...blah-blah-blah". But in reality, such actions are purely for political purposes and have ZERO meaning and value to our society.
These individuals should find some land, start a farm and make a REAL difference in the world. WhoFarmMobile, yeah, right. Any guesses as to who these guys are voting for?
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Edit, and then edit again
Bruce - Thanks for the update on their dating status. Is this kind of critical detail what passes for "news" now days at the Courier? (Gustowarow's girlfriend is farming in Kansas, and Simon said he is "married to the project.") Editor, please start removing the nonsense and personal opinions from news articles. It would increase the credibility of the Courier a great deal. Read the hero worshiping of David DuVall in last weeks "news" articles for more examples.
Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Article comment by:
Farmer me
We put in a garden this year for the first time. Tomatoes, squash, basil were the main things. It's fun. But I'll tell you one thing: it isn't cheap, and it takes some time and effort. When you add up soil, a little fence, fertilizer/compost, and water you'll be surprised. It won't save you any money and it won't make you healthier, it's a project that's fun.
