The director of UC Cooperative Extension in Ventura County, Rose Hayden-Smith, had the opportunity over the weekend to publicly express her delight in the news that the First Lady and her daughters broke ground last week on an organic kitchen garden at the White House. Hayden-Smith was among a group of activists who for many months have called on the country's leaders to lead a Victory Garden rebirth by example.
An article in the Ventura County Star opened with Hayden-Smith's reaction to the cover story in the April 2009 issue of Oprah magazine, in which Michelle Obama commented about a new garden project on the first lawn.
“We want to use it as a point of education, to talk about health and how delicious it is to eat fresh food," Mrs. Obama was quoted.
“I read that and thought, ‘This is really going to happen. We are going to get a garden at the White House,’” Hayden-Smith, was quoted in the article.
The story noted that Hayden-Smith was appointed director of UCCE in Ventura County last Wednesday. She is the first women to hold the position in its 90-year history.
Last week, Hayden-Smith also appeared on the Chicago radio program "The Mike Nowak Show" to relish the White House garden victory.
Both media outlets listed links to Hayden-Smith's blog, Twitter account and Victory Grower Web site.
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