Parents Seeking To Plant A Vegetable Garden At Maryland School Rebuffed

The Washington Post (1/2, Birnbaum) reported that parents seeking to plant a vegetable garden at Takoma Park (MD) Elementary School "were rebuffed, told that one person's tomato is another one's maintenance nightmare. School officials cited allergies, pests and possible summertime neglect as reasons for concern." According to the Post, "The parents, who were inspired in part by first lady Michelle Obama's national campaign to fight childhood obesity, said they're puzzled by the school system's decision. In D.C., which has the highest rate of adolescent obesity in the country, several public schools have gardens, and a recently passed law encourages more."