by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - In February ground was broken for the island's inaugural People's Garden. Located at the Salvation Army's offices in Tiyan, the effort spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady and the Department of Agriculture focuses on developing community gardens throughout the island.

In Dededo another garden is taking root at the Department of Youth Affairs' Guma San Jose where the dirt was turned. "I think it's important especially here at DYA is for our children on how to do it and why we should do this rather than go out and buy it," said First Lady Joann Camacho. "They can grow it themselves and be able to feed themselves."

The People's Garden is a series of community run plots that advocate "going green" through gardening, as a productive method for insuring a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables for the people of Guam. With guidance from the Department of Agriculture, agency representatives provide training geared towards teaching individuals how to garden properly as well as plant and harvest self-sustaining vegetation rich in nutrients.

Other people's gardens are expected to take root in GHURA and in Hagatna, catering specifically to the island's growing homeless population.