Prayer Flag Project Day 11: Gardens

Today's prayer is for gardens... in homes, schools and communities.  It is a hope that our children understand where their food comes from and how it should look when it is consumed.  It is a dream that every person who is able should put a seed in the ground and grow something useful, beautiful and delicious.

This week's prayers seem to be centered around food, and for good reason.  It is the growing season in New England, and we are surrounded by knee high crops and beautiful local food.  Swiss chard, broccoli rabbe, spinach and lettuce are all fresh and ready to be picked in my garden.  Our local farms have pick-your-own strawberries, and soon other fruits and vegetables will be ready for harvest.  The local schools, however, are still serving USDA approved chicken nuggets and canned corn...

For real innovation in the school cafeteria, go to the edibleschoolyard.org and read about how chef Alice Waters made a huge difference in the Berkeley, CA school system by incorporating a garden into the school's curriculum.  Wouldn't it be great if our kids learned math, science, art, history and literature while including good eating habits, stewardship for the earth and healthy choices?

Today's flag, "Community Garden", is made of an upholstery scrap, embellished with machine stitching over mulberry paper.  The tag reads "Home, school, community garden" and has a picture of the Girl Scout badge for gardening on the back.