please read the next post also, to get a fuller picture of what is going on.
our attorney spoke to the prosecutor today. (for the record, my crush on him is totally finished after today.)
his position: they are going to take this all the way.
officially, this means i am facing 93 days in jail if they win.
no joke.
so, this is the time to ramp things up. this is the time to blog and facebook and twitter and send emails and do whatever other technology or grass roots stuff is out there, cuz the compost is hitting the fan.
93 days in jail over a vegetable garden. for a regular mom with several great children who has never been in trouble,who abides by the laws, who has no record, who has committed no crime, and who doesn’t cause trouble. and I didn’t do anything wrong.
i wanted to just put that in writing to see if it made any more sense.
it doesn’t.
be outraged, please. be very outraged.
oakparkhatesveggies 
Jul 06, 2011 @ 18:41:00
Oh, we are SO all over this!!! Bloggers everywhere are going to make the prosecutor wish he’d chosen stamp collecting for a hobby instead of harassing gardeners.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 18:41:15
I am FURIOUS for you Julie! I just do not understand what in the world is so frickin’ wrong with a garden in your front yard!!!!! Well, my fingers will be burning up my keyboard. Hang in there, you have lots of people who are behind you!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 18:42:30
thank you thank you thank you- i am literally beside myself that they are acting like this!!!!! thank you again- julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 18:43:02
you are so gonna be one of my new best friends!!!! thanks- julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:04:10
I agree with your points here wholeheartedly, and will likely blog about this. But for the love of pete–*please* learn use your shift key. “Style” dilutes your message tremendously.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:11:22
Super bummer
Folks need to know about this and folks need to let the city of Oak Park know their thoughts about this situation!!!
Blessings…
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:18:53
Julie — Please, tell us *exactly* what you would like us to do. Which person (or persons) should our emails and phone calls be directed to [and please give us their email address and phone number]. What specific points should we be addressing in our correspondence?
I would recommend doing a post with the above information, and we’ll let it fly.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:19:47
What in the world can they possibly be thinking? Aren’t there any REAL criminals there? This is insane. I would love to help, just let me know how since I am not a resident. I still want to do SOMETHING. This is just plain WRONG. And I don’t mean your garden.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:21:23
You have my word that every second of extra time I have will be spent writing letters, posting on Facebook, talking to people in grocery stores, picketing or what ever else I can do to help you. I can’t believe that they are risking the “compost” storm they are going to have to deal with if the verdict goes the other way. Again I am so sorry that you can’t just raise your kids and your garden in peace. I will call you tomorrow to find out what I can do to help. Your friend- Ryan
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:23:36
I have a garden with flowers, I have a veg plot with edible plants, why does it matter WHERE I choose to site them? or IF I chose to mix them up?
I hope you win.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:32:27
Remember when victory gardens, which helped feed your family, were the patriotic thing? What specific laws have you broken? Who do we write to?
Jul 06, 2011 @ 19:49:32
What do they possibly have to stand on if there is no law against it. I am completely baffled and outraged!!!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:01:21
Julie–
I commented the other day that I’ve written to Mr. Rulkowski. I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be covering your story (within the larger issue of homeowners having the right to garden) for Treehugger. Would it be possible to get your permission to use a photo of your garden to include in the post?
Thanks,
Colleen
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:06:50
I wrote a book – “The Edible Front Yard” – and there are others such as Fritz Haeg’s “Edible Estates”, that take on the reasons why the boring, thirsty, chemical lawn is a thing of the past and a vegetable garden (just like yours) is the wave of the future!
I am EXTREMELY outraged, but not surprised. One of the couples profiled in my book also had to fight for their right to GARDEN. They won, and you will, too. If your neighbors are with you, and if you can show that what you are doing is in fact beneficial to you and your community, you will be fine.
If you like, email me and I’ll put in in touch with my friend who went through this – she collected REAMS of proof as to why her front yard edible garden was legal and appropriate for community standards.
BEST OF LUCK!
Ivette Soler aka The Germinatrix
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:11:00
WHAT THE BLEEP?!??!?!?!?!?!!?! That will be an interesting conversation to have with someone.
Where is your mom?
Jail?
WHAT?!?!?!?!??!?!!?!?! WHY?
Weeeeeeell she commited the grave crime of having a vegetable garden in our front yard.
Seriously!?!?
I kid you not.
Oh my god! You should sue!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:40:05
don’t worry- we are on it and everything will be fine. i assume that the city is reaching a point of desperation and that’s why they’re acting like this. our lawyer is dealing with it, and everything will bo totally okay- please don’t worry! love you- mommy
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:42:31
absolutely! we put out mulch today, so if you want to wait til we get new pics up, that’s fine- up to you. either way is good. our garden is nothing to be ashamed of! thanks for the coverage! -julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:48:25
yep- us too!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:49:58
i know all about victory gardens, and i think it was an amazing phenomena! we haven’t broken any laws; that’s kind of the point. feel free to write to anyone in our city government- my husband put links on the righthand side of the blog. thanks- julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:50:36
thank you, sarah- us too! -julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:51:57
thanks as always ryan! and we are completely in favor of you carving out some time for your wife and kids too! 🙂
it’s bizarre, right? -julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:54:08
thank you, katherine- there are actually quite a few criminals in oak park. in fact, several of them were in court with us last week! this is insane, and if you would like to write or call our city officials; the links to them are on the righthand side of the blog. thank you so much for your support! -julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:56:48
This is insane on a number of levels.
Your commenter Ivette Soler mentioned another couple who had to fight for the right to garden – and won. You might want to email her and ask for the case information to use in your own case?
This is ridiculous. We are in the middle of three wars and our townships and cities are DISCOURAGING victory gardens? Have they not noticed how food prices have been going up?
I have to wonder, if you had done something like a spiral garden instead of raised beds, if they would be trying to take you to court.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:58:49
well, kevin rulkowski is the planning guy- he reports to the city manager, his name is rick fox, and his phone number is 248.691.7406. we have had no direct dealings with him, so i can’t really tell you what to expect. the contact info for our mayor and the city council is on the righthand side of the blog. honestly, at this point i’m not even sure what to do. our attorney is working on strategy, so i will definitely post when we have clear direction on what would be the most helpful.
in the meanwhile, my husband suggests continuing to have people blog and facebook and twitter and any other media outlet they have access to. i’m still kind of in shock, so sorry if i’m not being too helpful. i really will post as soon as i have more clarity about what to do.
thanks for being a friend, even though we’ve never met; it really means a lot. cyber-hugs- julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 20:59:22
yes! please do spread the word!! thanks in advance- julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:02:32
Thank you for pointing this out. It has come to my attention repeatedly; I am a slacker on capitalizing letters. I used to think it was cybercool- I would honestly never NOT capitalize when I write by hand. There is just something so seductive about the computer that makes me want to cut corners. I guess it’s similar to how kids will do words on text messages like thx, and lol…In any case, message received, and I will try to do better. Thank you for being willing to blog about this- in spite of my failings 🙂 Take care- Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:06:08
This is just madness. I finally found the section of Oak Park’s city charter that they are claiming you are in violation of (sec. 1716. part A, subsection 5). But why then do they have in their code, Part II – Code of Ordinances, Chapter 18, Article VIII, Sec. 18-284 which reads: “Exempted from the provisions of this article, inclusive, are flower gardens, plots of shrubbery, vegetable gardens and small grain plots. An exemption under the terms of this section cannot be claimed unless the land has been cultivated and cared for in a manner appropriate to such exempt categories.”
From your pictures your garden looks very cultivated and cared for in an appropriate manor. Would it appease them if grass was planted in between the plots? If your neighbors are not concerned either I do not see why they are pursuing this so furiously.
It is too bad Oak Park does not have a community garden.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:26:13
I think the Edible Estates people were LOOKING for someone that was facing criminal prosecution for having a front yard garden, so that might be a source for help as well, but I’ll definitely keep blogging about this (you’re preempting an oatmeal cookie recipe my readers have been waiting for in tomorrow’s post 😉 but I think this is a tad more important). I’ll be rallying my readers and spreading the word.
(And I think you looked at my blog too early this morning to see my front yard garden, but I’ll be continuing to use my garden to support yours!)
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:29:06
If you’re going to be getting new pics up that you’ll be wanting bloggers and such to use, do it fast! I’m sure a lot of us are chomping at the bit to get writing!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:32:41
Ok- I’ll get my teenage daughter on it pronto! 🙂
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:33:23
Thanks for your continued support! And I LOVE your gardens!!! -julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:33:31
I wrote an email to the city for you today. This is just incomprehensible. That a mom that kills her baby can go free, while one that grows food for her family gets to look forward to jail. Something is wrong with our society.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:33:32
Hi there from California! I read about your plight on the Take Back Urban Home-steadings page. I don’t know if there’s much I can do from here besides post your story on my Facebook page (which I have done) and/or write to your city councilmembers. However, since I don’t reside in your state, I don’t know if my letters would get noticed. What do you think?
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:34:57
Too bad, indeed. Thanks for helping to fight the good fight! -Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:47:11
I definitely am outraged.
I just read the two news articles you have linked and then I read the comments underneath. Other than one person who said nothing but a profanity, the response was unanimously supportive. Nobody can figure out what’s wrong with planting a vegetable garden.
Is it going to come down to a fight about what is meant by the word “suitable”?
Jul 06, 2011 @ 21:59:16
dear, sweet, “ordinary” mom with wonderful children and a really nice front yard.. have you ever read about Gandhi’s salt march? If you do end up with jail time you will have joined that nice ordinary man’s ranks. officially. i hope you don’t (get jail time). and actually just by the act of standing up and taking active responsibility for your own epicurian survival you are officially on the Gandhi team. i suspect the silly town doesn’t really want a mommy gardening martyr. i think the very uncute prosecuter is bluffing hoping you will cave and murder your lovely plants so he can go on with his dismal (apparently) miserable, meaning deprived existance. you are doing him and many other sillys in your community a wonderful favor by helping them face thier inner nothingness demons. i’m holding you in the light, and in my heart.
(sorry about the awful spelling, spell check doesn’t appear to work in blog land).
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:04:04
Julie, hi again. I am married to givesgoodemail, above. I should send you a picture of our front yard here in Minneapolis. I have taken up most of the lawn, built raised beds, planted apple trees and an herb garden- and people are constantly stopping to tell us how beautiful our front yard is.
btw, I used to live near Oak Park, and my kids attended Darchei Torah. We had a front-yard garden when we lived in the area, and like you, we found that the neighbourhood children loved to stop by and watch, help and even eat. Hatzlacha!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:15:24
I think I know who you are- and if I am right, you have lots of friends here who love you to bits! And I would love to see pics of your yard! -Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:18:53
Wow- when i first started to read this, I thought you were gonna blast me! But I will look into the Salt March; hopefully there is no hunger strike involved-hahahaha. Do you really think the prosecutor is uncute? Oh well, sad for him, fine for me- I married up, anyway 🙂 Thanks for the support! -Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:19:16
this is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard of. You’d think the city could take a more common sense approach to all this. I shared on FB for you. I hope you win the case.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:21:52
That certainly seems to be the case. But since we have an actual current dictionary, and the city of Oak Park clearly doesn’t, it should be an easy fight! Make sure to spread the word to your techy friends- those types (who know technology) are awesome about getting this story out. Okay, gotta go eat some ice cream; it’s been a long day. Hugs- j
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:23:14
Thanks, Melody- nothing like spreading the crazy around 😉 Seriously, I can’t really see how we wouldn’t win… keep checking back, and I’ll keep posting updates. Thanks again- Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:27:51
I think any support is good support. They obviously don’t care what the voters in Oak Park think, so maybe some out-of-town support would open their eyes… Thanks for posting on facebook, too! -Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:30:49
Well, vegetables are much more menacing than a killer… Oak Park must love them some McDonald’s! (No fresh food allowed in our city!!!- might be the new city motto) hahahaha- but it’s not even funny. You are right that something is seriously wrong. Thank you very much for your email to the city. You never know which is going to be the one that tips the scales. Thanks again- Julie
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:44:09
Julie — We were able to change our chicken & goat laws here in Denver, and I’ve seen firsthand how powerful a massive email campaign can be.
Basically, I think there are a couple of levels to the way that folks could help you. You’re absolutely right that bloggers getting the word out about this situation is great.
However, a bunch of indignant blog posts and/or comments on message boards doesn’t necessarily translate into something that really hits home for the decision makers in the Oak Park government. That’s where funneling all of this public attention and outrage into an email campaign can be really helpful.
Bloggers can only rile people up so many times, so I think it’s valuable to really have a focus so we can get the most “bang for our buck,” so to speak. I understand that right now you’re not sure of the best person(s) to target in an email campaign, and that’s ok. Talk to your lawyer, your family/friends, and make a decision as to what you think would be most effective. If you can, try and find an ally on your City Council (though I know that may be hard). Ultimately, this is a political issue (isn’t everything) and in that arena City Councilmembers can be adept at helping you guide public pressure to the right place.
If you decide it’s appropriate/helpful, we can all send emails that CC the planning guy, the City Manager, the Mayor, and all members of City Council. It’s not hard to do — that’s what CC is for. Once you decide on the best course of action, I would really strongly suggest doing a blog post with a list of all of the email addresses for the relevant folks, and a plea for all those reading to send emails covering certain points. You and your lawyer can certainly work out what the best points to cover would be, but you might include asking everyone who lives in a city that allows front yard veggies to state that fact (and include their city’s ordinance, if they want) — plus sending photos of front-yard gardens from around the country. Make the Oak Park officials feel like the neanderthal, behind-the-times buffoons that they are.
I know I’m being pretty heavy-handed with the advice here, but I know first-hand what a difference an avalanche of targeted emails can make. The city is less likely to do something stupid (like throw you in jail) if they know that people all over the country are watching. And, the only way they’ll know we’re watching is if we tell them. When we were working to change the chicken laws in Denver we could generate 70 emails in a day with an “action alert” like this one. You have such a bigger reach, with all the bloggers that are following this — if you came up with a targeted email list and a plea, I bet you could get 500 emails in a day. That would REALLY cause the relevant people to sit up and pay attention.
And speaking of people watching… I would also suggest contacting every media figure who’s been in touch with you about this story, and giving them an update that includes the threat of 93 days of jail time. That’s sure to make good copy, and continue to embarrass the city.
I know you didn’t ask for any of this, Julie… but what you’re doing is important. Keep your chin up!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 22:50:55
In Northbrook, IL a lady was cited for the same thing, but neighbors and gardeners rallied and the city relented. If you have any local garden shows on the radio/tv contact them. Local garden clubs….anything to get the message out there to put the pressure on.
Good Luck
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:08:27
Julie – What exactly is the charge they are threatening to put you in jail over? I don’t see anything definitive here, and if anything it seems that they would fine you at first. This is insane! I’m going to post your latest post on the Take Back Urban Home-steading(s) page of almost 8000 people and will tell them they can write to the city. They’re going to get flooded with letters from urban homesteaders!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:24:53
I’ve set up a petition site so that people can show their support for you and what you are doing. Everyone please visit: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/oak-park-hates-veggies/
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:37:11
Julie, et. al.:
Have been reading minutes of your city council meetings and other dull stuff that I like to do when researching the history of things.
Found this interesting: http://www.oakpark-mi.com/recreation/community_garden.asp
It seems your Parks and Rec Director Roy Vultaggio has been promoting a Community Garden that was to rent garden plots to residents for $60 a year to “…improve people’s quality of life by providing a catalyst for neighborhood and community development, encouraging self-reliance, producing nutritious food, reducing family food budgets, conserving resources and creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education.”
I read that he was seeking (sought in 2010) grant money to aid in this endeavor. I suspect part of the grant application spoke to individual involvement and buy-in to a food producing garden scheme like he describes so eloquently on the web site referenced above. The web site mentions that 2011 would be the start of the program but I don’t find any current references to it.
I wonder if the grant application is available, who he was requesting money from, and what the feeling of the City Council (who was involved in the application process and will act as fiscal agent for any monies) was/is toward food producing gardens in the city as stated in the grant application, and if the grant money would be in jeopardy if the city seemed to aggressively punish people who want to grow their own food.
Would also be interesting to see if any current council members or city employees went on the record in support of gardens and to what extent they envisioned the proliferation of individual residents growing their own “nutritious food, reducing family food budgets, [and] conserving resources…” within the city limits but not in the community garden.
I’ll keep reading and post any other interesting things I may find.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:51:37
I’m so sorry you ate having to deal with this!! This angers me so very much. You guys have my complete support!
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:52:02
I think you will win in court. Annoying as it may be the general issue with odd city ordinances is that they can violate State and Federal Consitutions but no one ever challenges them because it is a hassle. Since you are forced to challenged it is likely that this is trampling your constitutional freedom of expression, violating your state’s right to farm act, and possibly federal laws regarding private property.
Jul 06, 2011 @ 23:56:31
Letting you know I live in Oak Park and will be writing letters to EVERYONE tomorrow.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:00:38
Julie, you should be hearing from the Metro Times, Neal Rubin (DetNews), and the Freep sometime tomorrow.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:03:08
Went to send the email and I wanted to share it with my gardening friends, but I need to know do I send it to the mayor or the pro tem?
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:06:16
93 days in jail for gardening goes beyond anything remotely sane. Somewhere up there in all the replies, someone suggests dropping a press release in every local media outlet you can find, and I wholeheartedly agree. Give CNN a pat on the head while you’re at it. National exposure never hurts a good cause.
You have my moral support and all the best wishes I can lob in your direction.
-Jim
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:33:05
if they do throw you in the klink you could refuse to eat anything but veggies grown in your own front yard, delivered by your kids and hubby..
kidding.
I just sent the O.P. mayor and city planner sillies a letter telling them i hope they are able to evolve BEFORE they do something they will look back on with deepest regret for the rest of thier misbegotten days. Or something to that effect.
You are quite well loved in Georgetown, which is an amazing community in south Seattle.. just in case you ever need to move. I’m seeing posts about this on lot’s of my Gtown friends facebook pages.
and i LIKED it that you weren’t using your shift key consistantly.. generally i only use mine when i feel like it.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:44:12
Hi Julie — I haven’t read all the posts and comments, and I’m sure you have thought of this, but there is another family who has put a veggie garden in the front yard of their house, oh, the President and First Lady of the United States! Don’t you think a call from Michelle Obama supporting your garden might just induce the prosecutor to reconsider his case? I think this seriously warrants a call to the White House. You never know–if the message reaches Michelle, she might just get involved. Check out this picture; their garden is clearly in the front yard:
http://tinyurl.com/64n5zvq
~Ellen
Jul 07, 2011 @ 00:56:25
I’m not worried. Elisheva told me that there is no way that the judge would grant that. I love you too!
By the way. I went to the childbirth class today, and it was totally amaing! The instructor was awesome!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 01:06:28
Here’s another link of interest:
Click to access oak_park_master_plan.pdf
I scanned this lengthy document fairly quickly tonight and noticed a few things. Your current mayor was involved in the creation and adoption of the Oak Park Master Plan which was adopted in 1996. Your Technical & Planning Director, Mr. Kevin Rulkowski, was the City Planner in 1996 and was involved in the creation and adoption of the Master Plan.
The overall tone of this plan, as I read it, is to aggressively use city code and ordinances to beautify(?) the city in the hope of attracting small to middle sized businesses to Oak Park and to keep some aesthetic standard of “beauty” for all the neighborhoods.
It is an interesting read, in parts, I must admit.
I mention these things as background for the two people most likely pushing to keep things as they were “intended” and how they fit into this Master Plan that they created.
There may be a way to appeal to them – how successful you might be is questionable – by quoting the second paragraph of the Introduction to their own Master Plan:
“Unlike the City Zoning Ordinance, the Master Plan is a set of policies, not a set of rules and regulations controlling the use of land. While the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map are intended to regulate the use of land over the short term (3 to 5 years), the Master Plan and its maps and policy statements are intended to guide land use decision-making over the long term (10 to 20 years). While the Master Plan must guide the future, it must also be flexible enough to respond to the City’s ever changing needs.”
I get an overall sense that vegetable gardens are not what the Master Planners envisioned for Oak Park and it’s possible that the mayor and Mr. Rulkowski have used their heavy hands over the years to enforce their 15 year old vision of the Master Plan.
I do believe that you have a strong case in keeping your garden in the front yard and hope that any jury that is chosen (if the case goes that far) will see the wisdom in what you are doing and see the folly in the pressure the city is bringing to bear on your edible landscaping project.
Good luck and I will keep reading about and hoping for your eventual success.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 01:15:30
It just gets me mad to see that they’re treating you like you harmed someone or someone’s property when in reality you have improved your property and made your corner of Oak Park a fun place for the neighborhood. The city officials should be taking a page from your book and encouraging others in your neighborhood to do what you’re doing. As someone said earlier, the wasteful grass only lawns are on their way out and gardens like yours are the wave of the future (as well as a throwback to the past).
I just started gardening again myself this year after a few decades away from it since I moved away from my parents house. I helped my brother and my dad with my brother’s garden growing up. We only did the food crops, very small scale, in the backyard, but my brother has since started growing herbs in the front yard. No one has complained there, but then again it isn’t even in Michigan.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 01:29:12
People are taking back their right to garden all over the country. Take a look at Connecticut.
https://news.change.org/stories/connecticut-town-proposes-right-to-farm-law
Jul 07, 2011 @ 01:44:33
It seems you have picked your battle and with all my heart and soul, I’m truly hoping you are strong, determined and intelligent enough to not take no for an answer from those that have decided to ignore the good sense that you so wonderfully display in your front yard. It boggles my mind that anyone could have an issue with a well kept garden, but your story is living proof that such odd things do exist. I can only sit back in wonder and disgust at what the state of mind is of those neighbors who complain about your garden, especially in todays world.
Seems there’s more at stake here then 93 days in jail, and even that of a person growing their own food, or even of it being against code to have a garden in the front lawn, and I pray to GOD that this thing goes viral and that their feet are knocked out from under them so they have little choice but to consider that there’s a higher purpose in this all, and not just of some people having issues with your choice of ‘suitable’ plants for the front lawn.
Please don’t get disgouraged! You keep at it, because it is your chosen battle. I believe in you and there are many, many people who also believe in that what you are doing is good and right.
These folks that have ticketed and threatened you with jail time need to change their minds, hearts, opinions and actions and sometimes this process is a painful one, but in the end, we all have to change or become obsolete.
I’m a gardener, as it is my passion, as well as my mission in life and thankfully live where growing food in my front lawn is actually encouraged.
You are fighting the good fight and it’s darned good to see someone with courage, brains and a good sense about them!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 02:20:43
I’ve just done another blog entry on you: http://www.livinga4hourlife.com/1/post/2011/07/mother-of-6-threatened-with-93-day-in-jail-for-growing-veggies.html and am also burning up all of my other SoMe sources to get your story out.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 02:45:58
GREAT idea, Ellen!!! I just filled out a “contact us” form at whitehouse.gov explaining the situation and linking here. Maybe if more people do the same, that phone call from the First Lady to Kevin R will take place!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 02:56:20
As much as you think it may do good to have an internet campaign for your yard, it’s bottom-line a local issue, and up to your City Council to amend the code, or to grant an exception. Have you tried a petition drive among your neighbors, to get the support of your local city council member (IME, they can advocate for you when the support is local, i.e., voters)? You should be talking to them to find out their take on this situation — and to your neighbors, both those who support you and those who don’t. Someone complained. You still have to live among neighbors–not among the rest of us out on the internet– when this is all over, so it’s worth listening respectfully to the concerns of those who oppose how your front yard looks now–and to see if there are any steps you can take to address those concerns, short of giving up the raised planters.
Have you considered that, although a vegetable garden isn’t actually a violation (per the language of the Code), you’re still vulnerable because the ordinance clearly states that ALL unpaved areas should be covered with plant material? Have you tried reducing the amount of mulched ground and covering more of it with plants (including edible plants and flowers) to show you’re making at least good-faith effort to comply with code requirements (even if the citation got them wrong) and to perhaps satisfy complainants?
Jul 07, 2011 @ 03:18:53
As much as you think it may do good to have an internet campaign for your yard, it’s bottom-line a local issue, and up to your City Council to amend the code, or to grant an exception. Have you tried a petition drive among your neighbors, to get the support of your local city council member (IME, they can advocate for you when the support is local, i.e., voters)? You should be talking to them to find out their take on this situation — and to your neighbors, both those who support you and those who don’t. Someone complained. You still have to live among neighbors–not among the rest of us out on the internet– when this is all over, so it’s worth listening respectfully to the concerns of those who oppose how your front yard looks now–and to see if there are any steps you can take to address those concerns, short of giving up the raised planters.
Have you considered that, although a vegetable garden isn’t actually a violation (per the language of the Code), you’re still vulnerable because the ordinance clearly states that ALL unpaved areas should be covered with plant material? Have you tried reducing the amount of mulched ground and covering more of it with plants (including edible plants and flowers) to show you’re making at least a good-faith effort to comply with code requirements (even if the citation got them wrong) and to perhaps satisfy complainants? Unfortunately, your yard (as seen in web photos) features whole lot of mulch and not much else outside the raised beds, and clearly the ordinance requires more plant material.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 03:19:06
I just read Ellen’s note, and she took the words right off of my keyboard — I am planning to write the first lady, as soon as I get up later this morning. –Uncle Dick
Jul 07, 2011 @ 03:24:41
You should email the press secretary at the white house for Michelle Obama. There should be a link to contact Mrs. Obama on the whitehouse.gov website as well.
She has launched a widely publicized campaign to get homeowners to grow their own vegetables to improve dietary standards and nutrition and educate youth about the benefits of vegetable growing and consumption.
It would help your case immensely if you could get something in writing from her office supporting you.
In the meantime, I’m going to facebook and email about this. You can count on me to write a letter as well.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 03:25:41
I just noticed someone else made the same suggestion, above.
GMTA.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 09:40:54
A bit of irony… check out this old poster, from a time when the government actually ENCOURAGED people to be more self-sufficient: http://eatwhereulive.com/blog/?p=509
Jul 07, 2011 @ 10:36:54
Insane, just insane. Have you contacted your senators? Congressmen? I’d go as far up the food chain as I could. What are your state’s right to farm laws? I believe every state has one. I could be wrong though. I shared your story on facebook, I don’t know what else I can do to help. Good luck fighting this. I hope they see how rediculous they are being and they drop it and go after…I don’t know…real criminals, maybe?!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 11:28:25
Seattle is behind you!! We grow veggies even in between the sidewalk and streets!! I wrote the city planner a short email this morning. I think what is involved here now is the ego of the city. Contact our or Portland’s city planners! They might be of help to you as well!
Blessings
Michael Plummer
Jul 07, 2011 @ 11:34:51
this just got greenlit on fark.com prepare for a lot of traffic today. i have unleashed the internet hoards. I hope this helps cause this is one of the stupedist things I’ve seen on the interwebs this week.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:37:09
I have a new post today to support you and get people in action: http://adventuresofathriftymama.blogspot.com/2011/07/now-this-is-getting-absolutely.html
Yesterday’s post was about my front yard garden, in support of yours: http://adventuresofathriftymama.blogspot.com/2011/07/focus-on-front-yard-trailer-park.html
My husband thinks it would be helpful if you had pictures of the crap that other people have in their yards (overgrown grass, weeds, trash, etc) up to demonstrate how much nicer your yard is for those people that still aren’t getting (and so us bloggers can further publicize the contrast!).
Jul 07, 2011 @ 12:52:55
There is a way to stop all of this, and it is in the style of planting the vegetable garden. If it had been planned out in a decorative fashion, it would probably not have raised any eyebrows. Unfortunately, since it looks like there are only beds in the front yard, it set someone off-possibly only Mr. Rulkowski, but who knows…
And to have to borrow the following example…www.urbanhomestead.org. Please note that this is in the City of Pasadena, California and they allow rainbarrels, goats, chickens, ducks, rabbits, etc. (all within reason, of course). They have planted all of the vegetables, fruit trees, edible flowers, etc. in a manner where it is also decorative to one’s sight.
This type of edible landscaping is also on display at The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. They have a project entitled The Ranch where sustainable gardening and Food Foresty are on display, and being studied. You can visit http://www.huntington.org/huntingtonlibrary.aspx?id=8238 and also huntingtonblogs.org/theranch/ for more examples of how to have your urban agricultural enterprise in your front yard and not necessarily look like you do.
This would also provide you the ability to probably have a bench, recycling water fountain, etc. in your front yard along with your veggies so that you and everyone else will be able to enjoy it.
With a little creativity, you can figure out how to skirt the rules, and they will shut up.
Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:05:14
Mayor Gerald Naftaly,
I am really concerned for the fate, as well as the legal fees, that Julie Bass is facing for her offence to Oak Park’s beautification policies. I understand that your city may have a tradition of manicured lawns, e.g. no weeds, broken down cars, front yard pools etc…, but it is beyond my understanding that a design project like a raised bed garden would affect such disapproval from neighbors and members of city government.
Her garden is restoring a balance lost to many urban families. It is bringing back the connection we all have to nature, and lessening the divide between human domination of nature and direct care for the unpleasant displacement we force on non-human species. Chemical lawns and asphalt are more criminal in nature –if you have an environmental perspective– than lawns that encourage pollinator species, non-toxic consumables, direct care giving for the land that shows a nurturing quality of land management, and so on. The big issue is that you are choosing homogeneity over diversity. Science is proving that a diversity is superior to what you are proposing, and necessary for planetary health.
It is not only these things, but even greater is the fact that you are preventing one families freedom to encourage a life of independence and sustainability. Both of these are what the most progressive communities want to ensure are the rights it affords and encourages of its constituents. Please let Julie Bass and her family pursue these values. They are doing no harm. In fact, the case is just the opposite of harm: they are taking accountability for providing health to an unhealthy system.
Sincerely,
Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:21:15
here is the email I sent to the Mayer, the city council and the city planner:
Dear City of Oak Park:
Please reconsider your stand on vegetable gardening in the front yard. These days many people are strapped for cash,
We worry about peak oil, food safety, food supply disruption, GMOs, lack of community spirit, safety in our communities and as you can imagine the list goes on. Can a simple vegetable garden in the front yard solve these problems? YES. How?
By raising awareness of the joy of fresh food, bringing neighbors together to talk about gardening, reasons for gardening, reasons to
Increase the safety in our communities, reasons to lessen our dependence on oil and food from far away, reasons to consider our carbon
Footprint etc. Yes a simple vegetable garden can do this. Imagine your city in the future, boulevard trees filled with fruit. Front gardens full of
Vegetables and more fruit trees and shrubs. Back yards boasting compost bins, city collection of waste is nearly zero as everything is recycled
And reused. The Landfills are nearly empty. People are out in their communities working together to solve any issues. They help their neighbors
Out. A little help here, a little help there some of the burden is taken off of the stretched to the limit city budget. Children learn the value of
Simple good healthy food. They spend some time actually learning to garden rather than joining gangs or covering surfaces with graffiti. The children
Now feel a sense of connection with their community, they KNOW they are an important part of the community. Folks are healthier as they spend time
Walking the now safe neighborhoods, getting exercise. They are healthier because they are growing some of their food. They share the extra food with
Those who need it or can not garden for themselves. Classes on preserving food are full as folks relearn skills our grandparents knew to keep their
Families fed during the winter months. Yes all of this can be a result of a simple vegetable garden. The longest journey starts with one simple step. The
Shift of view can happen in an instant when the possibilities of a different future are seen. Please, allow the vegetable garden in the front yard.
Vegetables and fruit trees and bushes are beautiful in their own right, they are even more beautiful when you are able to reap the rewards of good food for your
Family from something you have grown yourself.
Respectfully submitted:
Theresa Rooney
Hennepin County Master Gardener
Annual Learning Garden Tour July 9, 2011
Be the Change
Minneapolis Minnesota
Jul 07, 2011 @ 13:50:07
I have sent this to everyone I know and asked them to forward. My hubby is going to post on his web page and a few forums he belongs to. this is absolutely nuts!! keep us posted. good luck!!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 14:23:48
Who do I need to call/email/blog/snail mail/smoke signal? If you wind up going to jail, I will personally drive and show up with a protest sign.
No, really. If you’ve already spread the word about an email campaign, is there a link?
I’m in!!
+1 for jew. No, you. Not …never mind. 🙂
Keep on growin’ them ‘maters!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 14:25:59
Haha juuuuuuuust kidding. It’s on the right. Over there. —> I just got irked and didn’t look around.
The end. 🙂
Woman Faces 93 Days for Perfectly Legal Veggie Garden | Through The Grapevine
Jul 07, 2011 @ 15:15:49
Jul 07, 2011 @ 15:56:12
Wait. Maybe I’m mistaken, but my boyfriend and I are fairly certain that trial by jury and jail time are reserved for ‘criminal’ court cases, not civil suits. I could see them fining you for breaking a city statute, but there is no criminal law (I think) that says one cannot plant gardens or anything. What criminal crime are you committing? I don’t mean ‘what section of the city statute are you disobeying’. What -crime-, actual crime, are they accusing you of? You haven’t stolen, killed, assaulted anyone… you haven’t involved anyone else, you haven’t blackmailed anyone… there is no victim, so how is this a criminal case?
(On another note, I am indignant on your behalf. My father in law is a cop, and has been for years. My father is a farmer, and my family has been farmers, both urban and rural, for generations. I grow herbs in pots, but that’s because I’m unfamiliar with gardening in our climate.
And, on a completely unrelated but amusingly fortuitous coincidence, as I write this comment in support of your garden, my son is cheering on Blue from Blues Clues as she plants seeds in soil and waters them to make…. ta-dah! A garden! What a lovely, beautiful coincidence, and I want you to know that you have all our support!)
Jul 07, 2011 @ 17:11:13
Absolutely unbelievable! What has happening to our world… our way of life… OUR RIGHTS???!!! I don’t understand it. Hope you win this ridiculous law suit. My prayers and heart are with you!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 18:39:27
so cute about the blue’s clues! more and more people all over the country and all over the world are encouraging exactly the type of thing i am doing- which makes the prosecution even more perplexing… and, yes, in most places (including neighboring cities) this garden would be at worst, a small civil infraction. only in oak park have they made it a crime against the people. city of oak park v. julie bass…
i don’t know how they arrived at that decision, or what the thought was behind attaching such dire consequences, but that’s the reality here- so let’s hope good triumphs over evil in the end! 🙂 -julie
Jul 07, 2011 @ 22:55:58
I sincerely hope that if you do end up in jail that there are people nearby you that come help care for your kids, the gardens & house. That is IF it goes that far. This is the biggest farce I’ve ever heard. It’s beyond absurd. I have sent off email letters to the mayor, planner, city council and city manager. There is swelling support for you in this, all sorts are writing blogs, contacting media, sending emails to the your city’s ‘leaders’. We’re behind you, sister!!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:01:19
WOW, What a wonderful, positive, envisioning the world the way i want it letter! So much better than my rather grumpy one. I love it!
Jul 07, 2011 @ 23:46:35
thank you- maybe i could just threaten the city that if they put me in jail, they will have to come manage my home in my absence! that ought to get them thinking twice 😉
Jul 08, 2011 @ 02:13:06
ha ha mom. Our house is not really that bad. But I could deffinitly organize a rebellion among the sibs 😛
Jul 08, 2011 @ 02:13:46
for whoever they would send i mean Not you.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 03:45:22
I signed the petition for you – hope that helps.
viv in New Zealand
Jul 08, 2011 @ 09:20:29
Absolute craziness. I emailed both the mayor and Mr. Krulkowski asking them to stop the insanity.
Every day the newspapers are full of articles about the fight against obesity, the importance of locally grown food, and environmentally sound practices. You’re growing healthy food. You’re cutting down on your carbon footprint by doing so. You are not wasting water or pouring expensive chemicals onto the ground to grow ornamental but useless grass in your front yard. Nothing about that sounds criminal to me. In fact, I find it laudable. Best of luck with your fight.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 10:50:27
I just read your story and some of your blog posts and I cannot believe you are going through this! I live in New Haven, CT and people have vegetable gardens everywhere! They put pots out in front of their houses, they plant right between the street and the sidewalk. No one says anything! And I dare say it’s encouraged.
I am really so sorry you have to go through this. It makes me so angry that they’d rather you have a manicured lawn than a vegetable garden that actually gives you food.
Whatever we can do to help, let us know! And don’t give up that garden!
Outrage: Woman Faces 93-Days in Jail For Planting Vegetable Garden In Her Front Yard!
Jul 08, 2011 @ 12:34:03
Jul 08, 2011 @ 14:42:37
Has someone started a legal defense fund for Julie? If so we want to spread the word.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:14:54
Julie, We are rallying the troops in Northern California. Is there a legal defense fund set up for you to help?
Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:18:28
Check out growingyourgreens youtube channel to learn what good use of a front yard can, and should look like.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:24:26
not yet, but my attorney will work on that over the next few days…
Jul 08, 2011 @ 15:33:53
not yet, vera, but my attorney is thinking about it. if it happens, i will post it on the blog. thanks for caring! -julie
Jul 08, 2011 @ 16:54:58
Julie, you will be amazed at how far your story is reaching and how many people and urban homestead groups are posting and rallying people to call and write in support for you, as well as sign petitions. We stand with you. I have even noticed that you are on the front page of the Daily Mail uk, which is from Great Britain. I hope you don’t get so tied up with all this that you have little time to enjoy the garden.
Most important, we will pray for you, and ask the Lord to fight on your behalf.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 17:11:31
LOL! Nice to see that the city doesn’t need tax revenues and are doing what they can to drive out property owners. I picked this up and just blogged about it: “Step Away From The Garden, Citizen.”
I’ve had vegetables growing in my front yard for years – including potatoes, even – because the back and side yards don’t get sufficient sun. This year, we added a black plastic “upside-down” planter, which has tomatoes and basil – and it’s great! The plastic retains heat, which the tomato plants love. The ones in the planter are doing way better than the ones in the ground. Just a trail tip for next year.
Jul 08, 2011 @ 18:45:05
So, I’d like to see if they’ve applied the same bully tactics to those whose yards look like trash, with trash, old tires, broken furniture, those little old lady bending over in their bloomers garden decorations, loiterers selling drugs, discarded bicycles, rats, overgrown grass, rusted metal, hanging laundry, discarded diapers…need I continue? Oh, but that would be meddling and insensitive, right?
Jul 09, 2011 @ 00:21:14
Your ‘crime’ is to disobey the dictates of a system which is ever more desperate to try to control people. Growing your own food, though harmless to other people – well, actually a positive – is an existential threat to the system which wants to make itself indispensable. Your case features in the first few minutes of the radio show I posted today on this topic, entitled “UG#559 – Famine, The Fruit of Disconnection (Jailing Gardeners, Raw Milk, Food Markets & Soil).” – available at http://www.UnwelcomeGuests.net/559
I wish you courage, determination and ultimate success in resisting the ever more insane dictates of an authority intent on bullying into submission those whom it claims to be serving. You are not alone in the struggle; ever more of us are determined to do what is right, whether or not unaccountable bureaucracy determines it to be legal.
Jul 09, 2011 @ 00:58:05
Signed the petition and spreading the word among my facebook friends. Rooting for you from Mississippi!
Jul 09, 2011 @ 01:36:26
Just think of all the benefits, the children are learning to work, support themselves, grow plants, wise use of water (I bet no one else in the community is using our valued resources as wisely). I bet she would even share with the neighbors if she has an overabundance that her family can’t consume.
In this pre-depression era we all have to pull together and learn how to feed our families. Look at garden seed sales three years ago they were the highest since the depression and have topped the previous years sales every year since. the family is probably using the front yard more now than before. There isn’t a noisy lawn mower once a week mowing causing pollution. What are the negatives? I can’t think of any!
Jul 09, 2011 @ 01:38:30
Just think of all the benefits, the children are learning to work, support themselves, grow plants, wise use of water (I bet no one else in the community is using our valued resources as wisely). I bet she would even share with the neighbors if she has an overabundance that her family can’t consume.
In this pre-depression era we all have to pull together and learn how to feed our families. Look at garden seed sales three years ago they were the highest since the depression and have topped the previous years sales every year since. the family is probably using the front yard more now than before. There isn’t a noisy lawn mower once a week mowing causing pollution. What are the negatives? I can’t think of any!
Not only the above positives but they are trying to stay away from the dangerous GMO that our wonderful government has approves and still to this day believes they are ok! FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!
Jul 09, 2011 @ 10:29:02
I’m surprised people are so shocked by the city’s action. I feel really bad for you but unfortunately most cities do have this kind of code which requires grass and ornamental plantings in the front yard and if it’s the law, they do have to enforce it. If readers are outraged, they should check their own city code and get to work changing things in their own neighborhoods because their cities almost certainly have the exact same laws on the books. The challenge is to get the code changed and to figure out a way to garden in the front yard in the meantime. I suspect if you’d gone with a style that looked more like traditional flower bed plantings (borders, islands) and had more flowers interspersed, no one would have noticed. Fencing in the front yard with a low picket and packing perennials in a border around the fence might have confused people enough that they’d have ignored you as well. Good luck! Hope you can get your city council to change the law so you can continue your garden!
Jul 09, 2011 @ 11:49:41
Julie – If they send you to jail, keep a journal and have your family post it to the blog. And have your family post daily about life without mom, who was jailed for growing tomatoes.
The story has hit a lot of MAJOR news channels in the past couple of days, so you aren’t invisible.
Jul 09, 2011 @ 13:04:00
We miss living in Mi., But dont miss the Drama that came with it… A garden in the front yard, well people need to rethink .. Most veggies and fruits are a flower producing plant, and maybee if the garden was landscaped into the lawn, and not in raised boxes, there would be no question.. For that you are landscaping your yard with fruit and vegi baring plants,, NOT turning your yard into a garden, but landscaping your yard to “produce” goods for your family!!! May that might be a better direction to coexist with the current codes!! Good Luck!!!
Busybodies try to cage woman for growing vegetables on her own property | Cop Block
Jul 09, 2011 @ 14:44:59
Jul 09, 2011 @ 18:12:00
have you seen this???
Click to access proclamation_forgotten_harvest.pdf
on a diet rich in irony-they were fed…
lol
peace all-
Jul 09, 2011 @ 18:59:02
What kind of CRAP is this? I just read about this on Drudge and am forwarding to my entire address book and posting to Facebook. Next thing you know, little children will need a business license to operate a lemonade stand (oops). This is BS and I hope this Krulkowski POS gets food poisoning.
Jul 09, 2011 @ 21:23:38
I am an Oak Park resident and am in disbelief over this veggie garden. I support you 100%!!! Someone made a good point though about incorporating the garden into the overall design of your front yard. I think what you have now is just fine but sometimes we have to compromise so everyone wins. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. If there is ANYTHING I can do to show my support, I’m all in.
Lisa
Jul 09, 2011 @ 21:46:28
I am outraged!!! And believe in your stance entirely! If you were to be complacent, it makes it ok… and who knows what they’ll do next! Sending my love and support! The “common” issue (disgusting) would leave only native plant species as selections if you really want to get technical… but all that aside… could you blow their case out of the water by getting neighbor support by converting a large # of lawns into organic gardens (it’s way better for our environment by saving valuable potable water). I think that if a better than half did so, it would be “common” and therefore their case would crumble… just sayin! bet you could get a lot of volunteer help and donated plants to stick it to the wasteful prosecution! if i was closer i’d helpgood luck!
Oak Park Garden: Another Family Fined for Growing Food – Eat Drink Better
Jul 10, 2011 @ 06:04:40
Jul 10, 2011 @ 09:29:39
This is rich!!!
According to the Gospel of Rulkowski, where “suitable=common”, the “suitable” adornment for the urban areas of Michigan is abandoned cars and bags and bags of trash…
One question: is someone writing a screenplay yet? Because this is great, great, GREAT movie material as it plays out…
Good luck, my dears, I am ready to lend my good wishes and knowledge to your cause. I am 49 years old, grew up 23 miles outside of Buffalo, NY in a Polish-American neighborhood, my parents growing EVERYTHING we ate as kids. I own my own home, and have been gardening continuously since then.
Regarding “suitable” –
My front yard here in Havertown, PA (regarding which our local police patrolman has commented to my husband, “You have a fine, fine property here!” about a week ago…) has tomatoes, basil, cilantro, tarragon, chives, sage, thyme, mint, lettuces, swiss chard, yellow crookneck squash, eggplant, zucchini, and cantaloupe, as well as edible/herbal calendula (marigold – for tea and Georgian seasoning khemeli-sunneli), nasturtium, ajuga (a ground cover grown as dyestuff), and purslane (grows wild around here, but is a valuable salad herb). I have skillfully planted them, in handbuilt dry stone wall terraces (suitable for a sloping, stony lot with Italian and Greek neighbors) among the shrubs, perennials and annuals
P.S.S. Kevin Rulkowski’s Polish ancestors must be turning over in their graves after hearing his ignorance…Shame on him!!!
P.S.S. It gets worse…I will bet there is also an element of hysteria among your jerk neighbors regarding falling property values and foreigners moving in to “spoil the neighborhood”. Keep an ear to the ground and take some notes on THIS phenomenon…
Jul 10, 2011 @ 10:02:18
Here is a method of writing, so you don’t have to dilute the pleasure of seamlessly downloading off your brain:
Write in your usual manner, but before you hit the “post” button, STOP, brew yourself a cup of tea, and take the time to copy-edit your fine work before you push it out into the world. Your adherence to this practice will be very helpful when teaching your children to write well. As a mother of a 17 year old, trust me when I tell you that it is very, VERY difficult to teach this skill in this day and age. It is not just the knowledge of how to grow your own food that is worth preserving; your mother tongue is worth preserving as well.
Canadian Garden Alert: Another Family Fined for Growing Food | madaboutthenews
Jul 10, 2011 @ 12:57:57
Jul 10, 2011 @ 15:03:35
I am sure your lawyer has already considered the fact that if they had to look up “suitable” in the dictionary that the code is unconstitutionally vague.
The standard for vagueness was defined by the U.S. Supreme Court in Grayned v. City of Rockford: “[A] statute is unconstitutionally vague if it either: (1) fails to ‘give the person of ordinary intelligence a reasonable opportunity to know what is prohibited’; or (2) fails to ‘provide explicit standards for those who apply [the law].’” you’re golden mama. Not that that makes a legal fight any less stressful, it is stressful –so sue them for damages.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 17:47:28
So when I was a little child, I couldn’t wait to grow up and make my own decisions. I couldn’t wait to be free, to be a GROWN UP, a REAL person with a SAY in the world, instead of a snot-nosed, over disciplined being who had to be sleeping before sundown.
I’m still barely more than a child, but after following this blog, I have lost my desire to be a grown up.
LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE! FIGHTING OVER A…garden? Is this what the grown up world is all about? WHY can’t KIDS run the world…at least everyone would be sleeping by sundown…
(PS-All grownups discriminated against in my little rant happen to be in the political world- I support Julie hands down!)
Jul 10, 2011 @ 23:12:19
That is ridiculous.
I was outraged at the drive-by shouter (who I believe is a bigger danger to the dear city of Oak Parks than your lovely garden).
But THIS. 93 days. For a garden. That is ridiculous.
The struggles you have gone through against this ridiculous waste of tax-payers money points out everything that is wrong with the local government of the place where you live.
It kind of makes me sick that they would go this far to stop people from growing *corn* in their yards. 😉 I find corn is delicious. And far from the ugliest plant out there. Some flowers are outright hideous.
I feel for you, deeply, and best wishes to you and your family and neighbors who wish to garden. I wish half of America’s population was as environmentally conscious as you. Then maybe the lovely farms around where I live would stop being bulldozed for miles and miles of cookie-cutter, plant-less, suburbia. I miss all of the shade and pretty greenery.
And fie on that rude lady who had the nerve to stop in the middle of the road to yell at you. Shouldn’t that count as a traffic violation?
Jul 11, 2011 @ 03:59:31
Busybodies try to cage woman for growing vegetables on her own property
Jul 11, 2011 @ 10:36:40
Oak Park Garden Owner Fined for Growing Vegetables
Jul 11, 2011 @ 11:16:47
Oak Park Gardener Faces 93 Days in Jail for Her Veggies — and How You Can Help | EatWhereULive
Jul 11, 2011 @ 11:18:44
Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:12:14
I’d start a petition, where you can clearly define the issue and ask people to show their support by signing it online. It’s easy, and can be shared via facebook, twitter, etc.
Here’s a good site: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/
Good luck in fighting this important issue. I tend to always look at the bigger picture, so your fight in this matter actually represents much larger issues: freedom, sustainable food practices, outdated laws, etc.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:35:11
Outraged!!! I would put up an 8ft fence and paint it florescent pink.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:37:20
Start a campaign to get the neighbors to plant vegetables in their yards.I guess then it would match the cities decor.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:43:11
OMG This horrid! I saw this posted through Mother Earth News. I am absolutely furious. My family has square foot garden boxes on our front lawn and park strip here in UT. If it ever came down to that here, I’d give them hell. You give them hell too! What can we do to help?
Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:01:02
petitions don’t work, common sense doesn’t work. how about getting your neighbours to setup veg gardens in their front yards. suddenly your veg garden would become ‘suitable’ aka ‘common’.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:13:44
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1816764,00.html….
They are making a nasty name for themselves!!!! LUDACRIS
Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:30:31
who cares if you use caps or puncts this is not the freaking point
Jul 11, 2011 @ 14:48:23
Here is the email I sent to the officials of your city:
City of Oak Park, Michigan
Mayor Gerald E. Naftaly
Mayor Pro Tem Michael M. Seligson
Council Angela Diggs
Council Paul Levine
Council Emile Duplessis
City Manager Rick Fox
City Planner Kevin Rulkowski
The prosecution of a law-abiding mother and responsible citizen of your city by the city is reprehensible. As a mother myself, I grow vegetables for my family, both because of the cost of food and the un-reliability of our food supply. Many, if not all vegetable plants have aesthetically pleasing foliage and flowers.
To allow one or two disgruntled neighbors or even a city planner to dictate that the garden is not allowed is unacceptable, as it is NOT prohibited by the very city codes that Ms. Bass strives to comply with. I am horrified that in this time of economic crisis, that you are wasting taxpayer dollars and resources pursuing this unfounded lawsuit, even as Ms. Bass is conserving community resources such as water by having well-maintained, mulched, raised bed gardens. In addition, she is saving significantly on packaging which must be disposed of either in the trash or recycling(costing the city money), were she to be buying her produce at a grocery store.
The entire United States is watching this case closely, with wide eyes and horrified expressions and we expect for those of you in charge to do the right thing by the Bass family and your city.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 15:05:13
If I were a neighbor, I would complain as well. This is NOT a well-kept garden in any sense of the word; one raised bed might be okay – but to do the whole yard is just trashy. But then again, from the looks of the pictures, the whole neighborhood isnt that great so it just might fit in.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 15:11:38
Hi, Julie.
Just sending our support to you. Wanted you to know that The Mother Earth News magazine and The Distributist Review are posting your story on Facebook, and I’m sure many others are too. They have national/international readership and are on your side. Keep updating so we can keep it going!
Too bad the City of Oak Park is allowing its prosecutor et al to run amuck. I wonder if he realizes he is destroying his own career in the process. What city or business would want to hire him after such a debacle?
Jul 11, 2011 @ 15:15:12
Please don’t back down. I live in an HOA, I know I’ve agreed not to do these things, but I still wish I could. Have you considered trying to get one of the National Morning shows to take a look at your plight? It seems to me that it’s just the sort of issue that The Morning Show or Good Morning America,etc would jump on.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 15:51:07
Vegetables are beautiful foliage, front yard or back!
Jul 11, 2011 @ 15:54:09
Google “watson minnesota”… same thing happened like 2 years ago….A ton of legal bs but might be worth the read for you.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 16:32:05
They have a vegetable garden on the White House lawn. Email the first lady and see if she will send an email also.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 16:34:42
These videos on the science and law of landscaping may be of help to you (link to first of three), produced by someone who previously had a legal issue with a municipality over their natural landscaping.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 16:56:12
Julie,
As a somewhat new ‘edible landscaper’ myself, I am so outraged by this! We have an HOA and we can have gardens all over our yard. I’ve emailed all the parties involved (except the prosecutor, as I don’t know how to reach him/her).
Please use the media to your advantage on this. I highly recommend that you write a press relase and fax it to all the major news networks – CNN, Fox, MSNBC, etc. I am a PR major, and will even write it for you (for free, of course!) if need be. You can usually email them to the networks, as well, but there’s a free fax service online I use all the time.
I think they would be all over this, so please don’t be shy about presenting your story outside of Michigan.
Prayers with you!
Lori/Ohio
Jul 11, 2011 @ 18:55:59
Hi Julie! Bless you for feeding your family veggies that you have grown on your own property. Maybe some of your local friends could point out edibles that grow in lots of yards near you. Things like marigolds, dandelions, sunflowers,even roses because rose hips are very popular. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if the two guys that you mentioned as authorities of your city had rose bushes in their front yards! I will say prayers for you and your family.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 18:59:56
Surely these short sighted yahoo’s will not go through with this! There must be no crime in Oak Park Michigan, fill the slammer up with gardeners, and throw away the key.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 19:58:39
I have shared on Facebook and written to the mayor and will continue to write to other officials on your behalf. This is ridiculous and I can’t believe that 93 days in jail would be possible for a veggie garden. I really hope you win Julie. Good luck! We are on your side.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 20:13:30
Ok people ! push has come to shovel…. time to start putting vegetable boxes in your yard. i have mine what about you people in Oak Park that think this is Bu!! SH!+
Jul 11, 2011 @ 20:21:14
Julie, the following is the email I sent to your city officials. Hang in there, girl-I’m proud of you!
Dear Sirs,
As an ardent veggie gardener, I build and plant beds where the sun, soil, water and other garden necessities are best. Sometimes that is in the backyard, sometimes the front yard. As a cancer survivor, it is vital to my health than I avoid all pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in my diet-which necessitates growing as much of my own food as possible. I applaud Julie Bass for her very neat, attractive vegetable garden and would be more than happy to have her in my neighborhood (as you would probably also like). An obviously well-tended yard, free of any signs of neglect or overgrowth of weeds would seem to merit applause from city leaders rather than legal action. If you came to visit my neighborhood in Wichita, KS, you could see some wonderful yards containing raised vegetable gardens in the front yards, side yards and backyards. I even have a beautiful redwood chicken coop and 3 lovely hens who sometimes are bribed (by them) into visiting my neighbors’ yards.
I don’t believe it is any elected or unelected city bureaucrat’s job to determine what plant material (other than illegal plants, obviously) a homeowner chooses to plant in their own yard. Just as I cannot choose how high you pull your trousers up, or whether you go out in public in plaid shorts, black socks and sandals. It is a personal matter of taste, not something government needs to get their shorts in a knot over. No lawn, tree or shrub is more beautiful to me than watching the progression of seasons in my vegetable gardens, from the bare ground of spring to the overgrown lushness of fall.
The visibility of Julie’s garden is part of it’s importance, as people today have diets so poor in nutrition but too high in processed foods high in sugars and fats. Michigan has an even higher percentage of obese citizens than Kansas does. Maybe her example is providing inspiration and education to others who have never tried to grow their own food, or encouraging someone to try fresh produce instead of a jumbo order of fries. Or getting some fat asses off their couchs and into fresh air for some exercise by digging in the soil. Perhaps she’s showing people that lawns have high environmental costs, in terms of inorganic fertilizer, weed killers, water demands, carbon emissions from mowers, and the annoying sound of leaf blowers at 7 am on a Saturday morning. If you insist upon meddling in people’s personal choices, I would not object nearly so much if you would have REQUIRED EVERYONE to have vegetable gardens in their yards. That’s a progressive idea! Your Big Brother-like behavior is obviously not striving to be called progressive.
I hear Michigan is suffering in this recession, with home foreclosures and job losses that are among the highest in the country. Being able to grow your own food, as my Great Depression-era mother tells me, can mean the difference between starving or getting by when times are really tough. I’d hate to have to try to eat a lawn or shrub, although I do love nuts. Must be that love of nuts that prompted me to write this letter to the three of you! Please reconsider your frivolous waste of citizens’ money on court action that is not only unnecessary but counter to values that would improve your picturesquely-named community of Oak Park.
Sincerely,
Lori Lohrenz
Jul 11, 2011 @ 20:38:15
I read about your issue on Facebook and can’t believe the fuss your officials are making. I am in Australia and have a herb and veggie garden in my front yard, too.
Scary stuff when you consider the larger issues in the world which should be drawing the attention of the people who supposedly run the show. If they react like this to the parsley plot, how would they handle a real plot against society?
Surely your fellow taxpayers should be outraged at the Mayor & Co for wasting the city’s money in this fashion. Maybe your local radio could ask them.
Also, I read about Michelle Obama planting a veggie garden and saw her on TV encouraging people to follow the example. Isn’t that kind of like a royal command? 😉
Jul 11, 2011 @ 22:38:25
seriously? wow, some people are so out of touch with veggies they must think it’s weed. Keep up the good fight!
Jul 11, 2011 @ 23:36:20
My first impression, on watching the CNN piece where they showed the actual written copy of the city code you are supposed to be in violation of, is that the wording is so subjective. The politician on the clip tried to justify his point by using a dictionary definition of “suitable live plant material.”
The City code states that unpaved areas of a site must be planted in “suitable live plant material.” I can’t imagine they will get anywhere in court trying to say your veggie garden isn’t “suitable live plant material.” It doesn’t say “who” it has to be suitable to. Plus, wouldn’t that put people using bark mulch or crushed stone in violation of this as well? I would drive around and make sure the City councilman or other members don’t have mulch under their shrubs or along landscaping because that isn’t live plant material.
Also, in this month’s Smithsonian magazine (July/Aug 2011) there’s an interview with Andrea Wulf, a London historian, about how gardening was so important to the Founding Fathers of our country. You might want to point that out. You also might want to direct them to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello as an example of veggies as landscaping.
Its absolutely ridiculous what rules people impose on others in an attempt to control diversity. That’s why I love living in the country and having corn and beans for neighbors (-:
Wishing you all the best in court!
Brenda Murphy
Jul 12, 2011 @ 10:18:46
How many front yards in your community would have to have veggies growing in them to constitute veggies and a common ground cover? Just curious, because a great protest would be to have as many of your neighbors and community members to plant veggies in their front yards.
That you’re being punished for growing food instead of grass in your front yard really and truly upsets me. I get that they have the little city council BS and that since it is on file it is law, but seriously, what the hell is the city thinking here? All they’re accomplishing with this is making sure that green initiatives are low on they’re to do list. Move to Washington State, at least people there would appreciate what you’re doing, both for your family and the environment. Obviously your town is more concerned with status quo than ensuring a better today and tomorrow for it’s citizenry.
Jul 12, 2011 @ 10:41:49
So I just got wind of this today and have spent the last hour reading all about the ridiculouosness of the situation. You’d think you were openly growing marijuana in your front yard or something? We’re talking VEGGIES here!!!! At first I thought this was a joke or a skit or something from “the Onion” but this is for real!!!! Im going home today to start my front yard garden!!!!!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 16:35:40
yep- i would think it was a joke too, if i wasn’t living it… not so funny in real life, but i hope it gets resolved!
Jul 12, 2011 @ 17:57:07
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Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:02:38
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Jul 12, 2011 @ 21:58:57
The world has gone mad when they make rules against growing food on your land. During world war two they encouraged people to plant victory gardens to suppliment the food they could getin the market. The single most wasteful thing we can do is plant and fertilize grass and cut it with no benefit to man or beast. What manner of fool would object to growing food on the land around their house.
Busybodies try to cage woman for growing vegetables on her own property | GrassrootsHeadlines.com
Jul 15, 2011 @ 15:30:36
Jul 16, 2011 @ 03:18:29
Not a bad guide, Although it could have been longer 😉
Jul 21, 2011 @ 17:23:08
Excellent article and easy to fully understand explanation. How do I go about getting permission to post component of the page in my upcoming newsletter? Giving proper credit to you the author and link to the site would not be a problem.
Jul 21, 2011 @ 18:29:56
go right ahead! there- you have permission 🙂
Jul 23, 2011 @ 19:47:21
If you could unsubscribe me from this comment thread that’d be great, I support you, but my inbox is full and there’s no link to unsubscribe on the emails I receive.
Thank you, and good luck sorting out your troubles!
(Make sure those “renegade dogs” stay out of trouble ;D )
Jul 23, 2011 @ 23:24:13
honestly i have idea how to even do that- if you (or someone else on the blog) could tell me how, i will be happy to do it for you. take care- julie
Jul 26, 2011 @ 04:58:11
I really liked your article. You should write more about that topic.
Aug 12, 2012 @ 03:51:26
I just found this site and am horrified at the actions of the city. I cannot find an update and the material is over a year old. Could someone update on the outcome of this issue? Do we need to continue to send emails, etc. Just let me know. Honestly, talk about uptight, need-to-be-voted-out-of-office doofices!
Aug 12, 2012 @ 14:31:32
the city dropped the charges and i have since moved. there are other cities in other places doing pretty much the same thing, though, so the battle continues. thanks for caring- you can always read some more recent posts to get more recent news about what’s happeneing- i’ll hope to see you arounf!
Apr 14, 2015 @ 12:32:52
so your telling me that we can grow a garden at the white house and that you are facing charges for growing one in oak park Michigan. what happened to the government forcing healthy eating down our childrens throats at school and you are facing charges for the healthiest of all food. please keep me updated and please send info to magazines such as mother earth news and the good old grit news paper as well as writing the farmers almanac with your story. were behind you keep growing your garden and even talk your friends into planting one to.