As we venture into the growing season around these parts, we would like to take some time to acknowledge Shared Earth: The Largest Community Garden on Earth.

The idea behind Shared Earth is not a new one, landowners offer up their land to growers who in turn offer some of their crops. It’s like medieval agriculture without the oppressive class system. Here we see free land exchanged for free food. Landowners have land; farmers/gardeners have food and skills. It’s an exercise in symbiosis that, in theory, breaks down some barriers to sustainable agriculture.

Shared Earth is merely the connecting point providing land owners and growers the means in which to connect, build trust and establish a mutually beneficial relationship. Over 34 million square feet have been shared at last glance.

I like that the hand-drawn typography in the logo speaks to the manual labor inherent in gardening and farming. Also, the idea of Earth being cradled in leaves has some metaphorical potential. I just don’t feel like the execution is up to snuff.

Explanation of the Leaf of the Day.