City of Raleigh plants 50-acre Victory Garden for biodiesel adjacent to wastewater treatment plant

In North Carolina, the city of Raleigh has invested $12,000 to plant sunflowers on a 50-acre parcel adjacent to its wastewater treatment plant. The sunflowers will be used to produce biofuels that will help reduce the cash-strapped city’s reliance on cash-and-carry fossil fuels.

The biofuel garden is an example of the Victory Garden movement that has been championed by noted author Michael Pollan and now First Lady Michelle Obama, who planted a victory garden, a vegetable garden on the South lawn of the White House.

According to Pollan, “It’s the first time food will be grown at the President’s residence since Eleanor Roosevelt planted her Victory Garden during World War II. Back then, as part of the war effort, the government rationed many foods and the shortage of labor and transportation fuel made it difficult for farmers to harvest and deliver fruits and vegetables to market. The First Lady’s Victory Garden set an example for the entire nation: they too could produce their own fruits and vegetables. Nearly 20 million Americans answered the call. They planted gardens in backyards, empty lots, and even on city rooftops. Neighbors pooled their resources, planted different types of produce, and formed cooperatives — all in the name of patriotism.”

The city of Raleigh also grows corn and other veggies near the wastewater plant. The produce is sold to farmers for animal feed. The sunflower garden can produce up to 5,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel that will be used for the city fleet.

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