With growing season upon us, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County are sponsoring, for a fourth year, a campaign to encourage residents to start their own gardens.

Victory Gardens for Broome will take place at the Broome Country Regional Farmers Market on Saturday, May 13 from 9am to 1pm, providing seed packs and information from the expert staff at CCE Broome. Customers at the Farmers Market will receive mixed vegetable seed packets, along with information on how to plan and start their own garden. The seeds were purchased by CCE from Page Seed Company in Greene.

The concept of a “victory garden” dates back more than 100 years to World War I when Americans on the home front began growing their own food to compensate for shortages caused by the war. Victory gardens returned once again during World War II. While there is no immediate need for growing our own food, the new version of the garden can be a deeply satisfying hobby, providing fresh produce for those who are looking for a healthy outdoor activity.

“Community gardeners have gotten our nation through some of our most trying times, and it’s amazing to see this resurgence of interest in recent years,” said Lupardo, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Agriculture. “I am pleased to once again be partnering with CCE to help make this interest a reality for so many in our community. Victory Gardens for Broome creates an opportunity for people to access resources, share stories about their gardens, and support local greenhouses and seed suppliers.”

Beth Roberts, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, said, “We’re so grateful to continue our Victory Gardens for Broome campaign with Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo. At Cornell Cooperative Extension, it is our mission to make gardening accessible to all residents of Broome County. We hope that our seed giveaway will inspire more community residents to try their hand at gardening and discover the joy of growing their own food. By visiting ccebroomecounty.com, Broome County residents can discover even more resources to cultivate their knowledge of home gardening.”