The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program is taking a fresh look at Victory Gardening during the current pandemic. It is offering a webinar series on Tuesdays through June 2.

In 1917, millions of people were starving in Europe as a result of World War I raging and utilizing many agriculture workers in military operations. Farms became battlefields and left millions of people starving.

The burden of feeding the desperate masses fell to the United States. In March, just before the U.S. entered the war, the National War Garden Commission was organized for the purpose of encouraging Americans to contribute by growing their own food so that more could be sent to our allies.

People were encouraged to use any idle land, schools, vacant lots, parks and backyards. Everyone encouraged it through clubs, pamphlets and the Bureau of Education even initiated a U.S. School Garden Army to get children to enlist as “soldiers of the soil.”

The result was three million plots in 1917, 5.2 million by 1918. By the end of the War they were dubbed “Victory Gardens.”

By 1941, we were once again embroiled in conflict, World War II. Crops were diverted to the military overseas and with the beginning of food rationing in 1942, there was great incentive to grow one's own vegetables leading to a resurgence of Victory Gardens.

They were everywhere from flower boxes to backyards to rooftops in cities. Against Department of Agriculture protest, Eleanor Roosevelt even planted a Victory Garden at the White House.

The most popular crops were beans, beets, tomatoes, cabbage, carrots, kolrabi, kale, lettuce, squash and swiss chard was actually introduced to the U.S. because it was easy to grow.

By 1942, there were 15 million family gardens, by 1944 there were 20 million, producing 8 million tons of fruit and vegetables or 40 percent of all that was used in the nation.

To give this a little perspective, 1 million tons is the equivalent of 120,000 elephants or 17,000 army tanks.

In both wars, Victory Gardens were created out of a sense of patriotism. They boosted morale and avoided food shortages.

Government promotion ended but we have seen a resurgence in recent years in an effort to be more self-sufficient, to eat seasonally and improve health through local and sustainable agriculture.

As we navigate the uncertain times ahead through this pandemic that leaves no one untouched, perhaps it is time to raise our spades and once again do what we can to all get through it together.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardener Program is taking a fresh look at Victory Gardening during the current pandemic.

Extension educators and Master Gardeners will be providing up-to-date, research-based information on best practices for growing vegetables in containers, raised beds, and in-ground beds.

The webinar series is being held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays through June 2. The live webinars are free, but you will need to register online to receive the links. The sessions will be recorded and will be available on the Penn State Extension website. www.cvent.com/events/victory-garden-reinvented-webinar-series

Jo Merrell is a Penn State Master Gardener in Centre County.