With planting season beginning, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County are sponsoring an initiative to encourage residents to start their own gardens. Victory Gardens for Broome will launch at the Broome Country Regional Farmers Market this weekend, providing seed packs and information from the expert staff at CCE Broome.

“People across the country are rediscovering the satisfaction of purchasing and growing their own food,” said Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. “Victory Gardens for Broome will help bring the community together to share stories about their gardens, while supporting local greenhouses and seed suppliers. This is the perfect time to grow your own plants in containers, raised beds, or in larger spaces.”

This Saturday, May 2^nd, customers at the Broome County Regional Farmers Market will receive four packs of vegetable seeds, along with information on how to plan and start their own garden. The seeds were purchased by Lupardo and CCE from Page Seed Company in Greene.

The concept of a “victory garden” dates back more than 100 years to World War I when Americans on the home front began growing their own food to make up for shortages caused by the war. Victory gardens returned once again during the Second World War. While there is no immediate need for growing our own food, the new version of the garden provides fresh produce for people who are looking for a healthy outdoor activity.

“Any way we can get local foods onto dining room tables is a win,” said Victoria Giarratano, Executive Director of CCE Broome. “We love seeing customers come to our regional market to purchase their produce, but if they’re growing it themselves from seeds or plants from local vendors, that’s good too. Plus, it gives them an even greater appreciation for the hard work our farmers and producers do on a daily basis.”

The Broome County Regional Farmers Market is open from 9:00 – 1:00 on Saturday.