First Lady Obama and Native American children plant crops in White House

2011-06-04 05:52:22 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- First Lady Michelle Obama and a group of American Indian children planted traditional crops in the White House kitchen garden as part of her 'Let's move!' initiative to fight child obesity and promote a healthier lifestyle in young Americans, the White House said Friday.

The event took place just one week after the launch of Let's Move! in Indian Country (LMIC), and as part of the regular seasonal harvest, they planted crops known as the 'three sisters,' which are corn, beans and squash.

Studies have shown that this traditional Native American planting technique grows crops in a mutually beneficial manner: the corn provides a structure for the beans to climb, eliminating the need for poles; the beans provide the soil with nitrogen that the other plants use; and the squash spreads along the ground, blocking the sunlight and preventing weeds. 

"Today's a big day for us in the garden because it's the first time we're going to use native seeds of corn, beans and squash in the way they've been planted for thousands of years," the First Lady said.

"We’re all pretty excited to continue this tradition. This is another example of a fun, easy way that we all can work together to be healthier. And that’s what we're trying to accomplish with Let’s Move!"

The Cherokee White Eagle corn, Rattlesnake pole beans, and Seminole squash seeds used in the White House planting came from the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian.

In addition, Michelle Obama and the children also harvested crops in the garden, including lettuces, rhubarb, chard, kohlrabi, sugar snap peas, turnips, broccoli and herbs – some of which will be used in Tuesday's State Dinner in honor of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

These crops were originally planted in March by the First lady and children from Harriet Tubman and Bancroft Elementary Schools.

In 2009, American Indian or Alaska Native children aged 2 to 4 had a higher prevalence of obesity (20.7 percent) than any other racial or ethnic group, the White House said, adding that in Indian Country, 1 in 3 children are overweight or obese before their 5th birthday.

Furthermore, a national survey of American Indian and Alaska Native high school students from urban and suburban areas found that 18.9 percent are obese.

LMIC brings together federal agencies, communities, nonprofits, corporate partners, schools and tribes to focus on four areas: early childhood development, healthy learning communities, physical activity and increasing access to affordable, healthy foods.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-04

This is a good deed since in a decade or so the US will have to live on what they grow in the country.

Teach them now! No more Wallmart real soon now.

Tiger