By Allie Schulte

Welfare Services


As President of the Church, Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) encouraged members "to grow all the food that you feasibly can on your own property. Berry bushes, grapevines, fruit trees—plant them if your climate is right for their growth. Grow vegetables and eat them from your own yard. Even those residing in apartments or condominiums can generally grow a little food in pots and planters. Study the best methods of providing your own foods. Make your garden … neat and attractive as well as productive."1

Being prepared in the face of adversity is only one of the many blessings that come from planting a garden. It also brings improved nutrition, the satisfaction of working together to sow seeds and pull weeds, and the joy of a successful harvest.

Gardening also has spiritual lessons. It teaches that, in every aspect of life, "whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap" (D&C 29:34).

Through a major initiative of Welfare Services, Church members in urban areas and developing nations throughout the world are reaping the blessings of gardening. The Church's food initiative gives priesthood leaders in these areas the tools and training necessary to teach members how to plant a garden. Even when faced with difficult terrain, limited resources, and minimal experience, members are learning techniques that will help them to become self-reliant not only in food production, but also in nutrition, food hygiene and preparation, and storage.