Ashe County Victory Garden

With European farmlands devastated and farmers called into military service during World War I, America's European allies turned to the United States for food. Months before entering the war in 1917, the National War Garden Commission was established to encourage Americans to grow and store their own food so that farm surplus could be sent overseas. Americans were urged to “sow the seeds of victory,” and the name Victory Garden caught on. Victory Gardens reappeared during World War II to support the war effort and help prevent national food shortages. At their peak, more than 20,000,000 Victory Gardens were planted across the United States. By 1944, Victory Gardens were producing 40% of all vegetables grown, making this the most successful local foods project in United States history. In rural communities such as Ashe County, self-sufficiency had long been valued, and producing fruits and vegetables locally became both mainstream and patriotic.

Jefferson, North Carolina · United States