There is something about a tanking economy and a recession that just makes everyone suddenly care about money.  We spent it until it was gone when we could and now we are trying to bring it back by living frugally and planting our own gardens, raising our own chickens and milking our own cows.  We are returning to the days of urban farms faster than you can say “it’s a good thing” when you sharpen your shovel with Martha Stewart. 

Now I have no problem with urban farms, I don’t care if my neighbors want a cow, a couple of goats and 6 chickens.  I think it is a wonderful thing and I welcome another gardener to share my bounty with in trade for a couple of eggs. I have been gardening my enitre life and while I raised farm animals as a child I will stay away from them all (with the exception of chickens) on my little .15 acre plot in the heart of the city.   What bothers me is the thought that this isn’t all for real.  I can’t believe that these overnight farmers are going to stay farmers and that their converted lawns will still be gardens in 5 years.  I think the days of watering grass will be returning as soon as it looks like you can move up to a bigger home and make a profit.  Buyers certainly won’t want to step on cow pies when they are examining your curb appeal. 

So, what do you think?  I want to know.  Do you think this current trend to urban farms is going to outlast the recession?  Are all these newfound gardeners, farmers and new urbanists going to last.? Will farmers markets continue to boom and will you still be able to find heirloom tomatoes in your local Albertson’s?  Or do you think that as soon as it is over we will be back to Hummers, Lawns and Friday night pizza?  I hope the answer is that it will last this time.  That, unlike the Freedom Gardens of yesterday, we will continue this new (old) trend and see it through the rest of time.