May, 1917 - 107 Years Ago
The U.S. entered World War I in April of 1917. By May, we were on the verge of beginning the draft. This was going to put a strain on area farmers, as their workforce of farm hands would be sent overseas. At the request of President Wilson and Colorado Governor Gunter, boys who wanted to do farm work were released early from the school year, with full credit for the rest of the term.
Farmers who are in need of bright, husky young men should call up the Golden High School.
Some of the boys from the Industrial school were also permitted to work in the fields.
Schoolchildren were encouraged to plant fruit and vegetable gardens on empty lots along Washington Avenue. Adults provided the fertilizer and assistance with hauling, and the city provided free water. They sold their produce, and one boy earned $10.
83 Years Ago
From 1942-1945, Golden had a great, shared interest in Victory Gardens. Every spring, the Colorado Transcript wrote editorials to whip up a frenzy of gardening excitement. County Extension agents had regular columns in the paper, the Kiwanis sponsored youth gardening competitions, and the first sweet corn of the season was major news. There were constant articles about pest control, irrigation, manure, food dehydrators, canning methods, and vegetarian recipes. When the War ended in 1945, so did all talk of Victory Gardens. The last article mentioning Victory Gardens appeared in October 4, 1945.
5 Years Ago
In May of 2020, Golden's population was mostly home bound, trying to wait out the Coronavirus. The city was giving away garden seeds, compost, and mulch, calling the program "Golden Victory Vegetable Gardens."
You can help create a more sustainable Golden by growing local food. Food gardens are an opportunity for homeowners, renters, and apartment dwellers alike to bolster the resiliency of our community through greater access to healthy options. The Golden Victory Vegetable Garden program makes it easy to participate, whether you have a pot for container gardening or ground space outside.
