I read an article recently about some people who wanted to try eating food that was grown locally in their area. Locally meant within a 100 mile radius. They encouraged the support of local farmers and farmer's markets, suggesting that local grocery stores and restaurants also support them by buying direct.

There are several reasons why this is a great idea. One, the food will be much fresher - and possibly more nutritious. Second, it will be cheaper in that costs of transporting are greatly reduced. Third, it supports local economies. Fourth, the use of questionable pesticides and chemicals is less of an issue. Remember DDT anyone? Some countries around the world still use this stuff.

I think we should take this a huge step further. Lawn Gardens. Who came up with the notion that grass is the default product we should surface our ground around our homes with? Sure, it can be pretty when well maintained... useful as a surface to play games on, etc. Unless of course there's fire ants infiltrating your formerly lovely lawn.

I'm not suggesting that EVERYONE should do this, but certainly a fair number of people could turn part or all of their front and back yards into herb and vegetable gardens, plant fruit trees, etc. Preferably planting stuff that fits their climate. And for those people who say, grass is easier to maintain whereas food crops take more upkeep, I say, there's an opportunity for a new job market or expansion of an existing one.

Lawn care companies who normally mow people's grass can expand into harvesting crops - a related field on the surface, but one that would require education and training. Those who learn these skills would make themselves more valuable and thus increase their income.

New housing tracts could allocate a lot or two for a park slash garden for the neighborhood and still keep all the individual homes status quo with their silly grass lawns. However, I don't see this ever happening with any developers but those with motivations of making the world a better place above the greed of maximizing their profit per acre. However, a forward thinking developer could see how this would create a premium product in a market that would offset the loss of revenue on a lot.

We need to start questioning our way of living in America and decide if some of the ways we've done things couldn't be done better. Like lawn gardens. Seriously.