Arlo Crawford writes in The Atlantic about his father’s role in getting the kitchen garden going at the White House. Jim Crawford, a truck farmer in Pennsylvania, “was asked to provide seedlings from our greenhouse, help adjust the soil quality, offer some tips about pest control, and generally advise,” he writes in a story that describes the turn of seasons and a garden-level view of food politicking.
The essay is a rare glimpse into the mechanics of the garden. White House staff say they are helped by farmers but provide few details. A year or so ago, when wheat was tried at the garden, the White House identified the varieties but not the plant breeder.