Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Not your average strawberry garden, the innovative Strawberry Flag project on the campus of the Veterans Administration Healthcare Facility in West Los Angeles, California, is giving veterans there something to smile about.

Designed by artist Lauren Bon and The Metabolic Studio, and funded by the Annenberg Foundation, Strawberry Flag is a unique, self-sustainable strawberry garden made with reclaimed strawberry plants and supported by recycled river water, an elaborate aquaponic system, catfish, solar power and energy derived from stationary bicycles.




Both veterans and volunteers at the VA hospital have been working hard on the eco-friendly garden, which was designed to resemble the American flag from above. Veterans helped build the flag, they help power it by riding the bikes, they harvest the strawberries and they even cook and jar strawberry jam. The jam, also known as "veteran's preserves," will be sold online in November to raise money for U.S. veterans.

Dedicated to the men and women who serve our country, Strawberry Flag is about renewal. From the reclaimed plants that have been given a second chance to grow to the L.A. river water used and reused to nourish the strawberries and fish, Strawberry Flag is about giving new life. And most importantly, it's giving veterans a renewed sense of purpose and something to get excited about.

Tune into the weekly Strawberry Flag Blogtalk Radio show for updates.

What a cool project. Congratulations to all involved!