How to Become a Gardener: Find empowerment in creating your own food security

Description

Food insecurity impacts over 37 million in the US alone, with a higher prevalence occurring among people of color. In How to Become a Gardener, biologist, gardener, and food security advocate Ashlie Thomas (@the.mocha.gardener) guides readers on their own life-changing path from food insecurity to nourishing homegrown harvests. The journey begins with finding your "why" and continues through to the realization that gardening challenges and failures are not an enemy but rather a tool for learning and growth. From starting seeds to reaping the harvest, you'll learn how to grow your own food, even if you're a complete beginner. Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, or in containers, it's always worth the time and the effort. The power of growing your own food enables you to reclaim your food autonomy, connect with your community, and find freedom and wellness for yourself and your family.

Ashlie Thomas is a food security and home gardening advocate known on social media as The Mocha Gardener. Several years ago, Ashlie began her gardening journey with her husband on their one-acre North Carolina homestead. Through gardening, she has become more conscientious of local food systems and the health of the environment. Ashlie's love for wellness and the environment fuelled her passion to grow food and bring awareness through practice to growing issues of food insecurity in vulnerable communities around the country. After spending her childhood in a rural community that lacked sufficient access to nutritious foods, she understood that one way to address this barrier is through learning how to grow food and educating others on what quality foods consists of and from where it originates. Ashlie not only believes that her garden may serve as a spiritually enlightening place to ground and regenerate, but also as an opportunity to deeply connect and give reverence to what she feeds herself, her family, and her friends. It is her hope and mission to empower others to take control of their well -being through growing the very thing that sustains them...good, nutritious food.

"...is a beautiful encapsulation of Thomas's love and appreciation for gardening that has everything you need to grow your own food and become the gardener you want to be." * Washington Gardener Magazine *