Harvest Box is a new proposal to revamp the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (also referred to as food stamps).  SNAP provides 46 million low-income Americans an allowance to buy the foods they want.  The cost is significant with the 2016 program costing taxpayers $70.9 billion.

The new program would attempt to decrease that cost while increasing the nutritional quality of the food.  The program would deliver boxes containing 100% US-grown and produced food, selected for its nutritional value.  While the benefits directly solve for two of the program’s largest problems, there are also significant detractors.

The new program would take food choice out of the individual’s hands and into the government’s.  Many believe that is appropriate given the circumstances and health levels of SNAP beneficiaries while others think people will only eat food they want. It is estimated that 30-40% of food production is wasted through the retail and consumption supply chain which may be exacerbated if Harvest Box delivers undesirable items.

The economic impacts of SNAP are perhaps more important than the potential for increased food waste.  Each $1 spent using SNAP benefits results in $1.73 in local economic activity.  Private food retailers are able to hire more employees and offer more products that result in a more dynamic local economy.  Harvest Box, with its direct to consumer strategy, would add to the government’s own payroll while taking away from these private enterprises.

The idea to increase healthy food offerings and decrease costs by additional governmental intervention is inconsistent with traditional party lines.  This is not an easy decision for lawmakers or the electorate.  The decision should come down to if you believe government has the right to select your food that it is paying for and if the societal impact of healthier people is worth more than a 70% return on the $70 billion invested in SNAP.

Perhaps, though, we as individuals shouldn’t care whether Big Government or Big Agriculture is the winner.  We have the resources and the means to support those in need.  It is a daunting task and a long process but true, healthy change in our food industry starts at home.

We are bombarded with organic products of every type, regardless if it results in a more sustainable production process or a superior quality.  In home gardening the definition of organic is broad and the applications are many.

Usually organic is defined as using naturally occurring solutions to maintain the health of your individual plants and your overall garden.  This is important in the soil and on the plants themselves.  To be organic any synthetic chemicals should not be used as fertilizers or pesticides (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides).

In place of synthetic chemicals there are many processes a home gardener can put in place to ensure plant health.

1. Soil health without fertilizers can be managed quite well in raised beds.  A mix of potting soil, compost and mulch can provide the garden with all of the nutrients it will need.
2. Staying in tune with the soil quality via soil tests is very important.  Understanding what nutrients are deficient will be a great guide for what needs to be added and what point of the growing cycle to intervene.
3. Natural solutions such as crop rotation and companion planting can be everything a healthy garden requires.  Many plants will work in concert with each other to add beneficial nutrients to the soil.  It is also important to understand which plants are heavy feeders that will leech vital nitrogen that will need to be replaced with a greater use of compost.
4. Natural pesticides can be produced directly from certain plants to protect against specific insects.  Sugar solutions may also work to attract beneficial insects that protect against damaging ones.
5. Some plants act as attractors of beneficial insects for pest deterrents and aid in pollination.
6. There is no better way to maintain a healthy organic garden than by paying attention!
   1. Pruning dead and dying leaves promotes health in the rest of the plant
   2. Harvesting ripened fruits lets the plant know it needs to keep producing
   3. Noticing pest infestations early broadens your recovery options.  Many times its nothing more than picking the offenders off and removing them entirely from the garden area.

We espouse organic practices at Structured Gardens and compel you to do the same.  You will taste the difference in each harvest for years to come!

The Signature is a truly beautiful garden style.  It has the right amount of separation from the rest of your landscaping while still blending in beautifully.  Exterior plantings are easy to incorporate to make the fencing even further a part of your overall outdoor dynamic.

Once inside this garden you will be happy with your choice.  Each planting bed is easily accessible for all of your planting, pruning, harvesting needs.  You also have ample space to let the vine plants roam without taking sunlight and nutrients away from their neighbors.

It’s easy to incorporate special beds, such as wider rails suitable for seating, within the signature style.  There is also ample room for corner planters to add decorative flowers or extra fruits or vegetables.

Each comfortable moment you spend in this garden you will understand why fellow gardeners mention how grounded it will make you feel.

We hope you feel the same joy!

Our Premier series contains the best planting area value for your money.  The 30″ deep beds along the interior are close enough for ease of access and have a built-in trellis against the fence for your climbing plants.

These beds are similar in style to some DIY bolt-ons except our builds offer much greater pest protection and are a considerably stronger construction.  Our cedar beds and locally sourced posts and rails will last well over a decade.  We also run galvanized vinyl-coated wire mesh under the entire perimeter of the garden.

Once you step into your Premier garden you will understand why you decided to fence in these plants.  You will be taken away from your worries and immersed into the beauty of life.  It never gets old.