“Victory gardens” were a Canadian World War I and World War II strategy to fight food shortages for Canadians. This meant that more food products were available for use by troops, and that modes of transportation were more available for resources important for use in the war rather than being used to transport food products. These gardens were used to establish a wholesome and educational hobby in the general public and to raise morale and patriotism. These gardens were quite prolific, peaking in 1944, producing around 57,000 tonnes of product from 209,000 victory gardens established across Canada. Victory gardens were started on private land by homeowners, through grassroots organizations, and/or rental of land to prospective gardeners for low fees.
The FYRE Gardens movement is modelled after these gardens in many ways. One of the reasons that the victory gardens were so helpful was they raised morale in an era of struggle. In the modern day, there is a lot of concern, overwhelm, and despair about the state of the world, and joining together to address the issue of food scarcity through quantifiable action in your local community can be a helpful way to make a difference and raise morale. The victory gardens also recruited many people who were inexperienced gardeners, and while this meant slightly less efficient gardening practices, it also taught self-reliance and confidence in a new skill. Additionally, the impact these gardens had on the war effort brought people together in a country-wide movement to make real change. The FYRE movement will also emphasize sharing of skills, reliance on self and on shared community. Often when one neighbour contributed to a victory garden, it influenced others to get involved. That is the goal of FYRE: that it will spread, creating tangible, positive change wherever it goes.
The source used is linked here, click for more information: https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victory-gardens
The FYRE Gardens movement is modelled after these gardens in many ways. One of the reasons that the victory gardens were so helpful was they raised morale in an era of struggle. In the modern day, there is a lot of concern, overwhelm, and despair about the state of the world, and joining together to address the issue of food scarcity through quantifiable action in your local community can be a helpful way to make a difference and raise morale. The victory gardens also recruited many people who were inexperienced gardeners, and while this meant slightly less efficient gardening practices, it also taught self-reliance and confidence in a new skill. Additionally, the impact these gardens had on the war effort brought people together in a country-wide movement to make real change. The FYRE movement will also emphasize sharing of skills, reliance on self and on shared community. Often when one neighbour contributed to a victory garden, it influenced others to get involved. That is the goal of FYRE: that it will spread, creating tangible, positive change wherever it goes.
The source used is linked here, click for more information: https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/victory-gardens