"We've been involved in community gardening since the turn of the century," Mr. Pardue said.

Later, in the late 1960s and 1970s, community gardening started to make a comeback as a hobby.

Any group can take part, as long as it is volunteer-led and involved in hands-on community gardening.

"It's a misconception that community gardening is just for urban areas," Ms. Carter explained.

"Despite the trials and tribulations of community gardening, this is a tremendously popular program."

In general, institutional response to community gardening has been piecemeal, like a handing out of green band-aids.

Many surveys indicate that people participate in community gardening because they enjoy the opportunity to meet and make friends.

Farther east and south would be an "agricultural zone": community gardening on a grand scale.

Environmental workshops will break down by topic, including how to open space for community gardening and how to deal with air pollution.

Too many cities have criminalized street-level activities such as panhandling, street art, community gardening, and food vendors.