The People's Garden

The simple act of planting a garden can have big impacts -- from building a more diverse and resilient local food system to empowering communities to address issues like nutrition access and climate change.

Join us!

Do you have a community farm or garden that you’d like to designate a People’s Garden? Join us!

Watch the People’s Gardens Grow!

See what’s happening at the USDA’s headquarters garden in Washington, D.C. and our 17 urban hubs and locations across the nation and beyond.

Join the People’s Garden community.
Grow using sustainable practices that benefit people and wildlife.
Teach about local, resilient food systems.

All gardens located on federal property will donate food to local communities.

History of the People’s Garden

The People’s Garden was named in honor of USDA’s founder, President Abraham Lincoln, who described USDA as “The People’s Department.” Secretary Tom Vilsack started the first People’s Garden on February 12, 2009 – Lincoln’s 200th birthday.

Did You Know?

'Abraham Lincoln' is an heirloom variety of tomato named after the President in 1923 by the W. H. Buckbee seed company of Rockford, Illinois. It is one of the great tomato classics and excellent for making tomato juice, ketchup and slicing.