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\u201cThrough one simple, little act, we can cultivate a world that is more diverse, unified, and collaborative, and less divided and lonely \u2013 ultimately, a world more joyous and sustainable than this one through one simple act: gardening,\u201d<\/strong> begins a riveting TEDTalk by Jasun \u201cPlaedo\u201d Wellman, a community organizer, educator, gardener, and artist.<\/p>\nGardening, he said, offers a practical remedy to many of society\u2019s increasingly common ills \u2013 disconnection, depression, and disease. However, he didn\u2019t come to gardening in search of salvation and sustainability. Instead, Wellman admits that he used to look down on this \u201cquaint, old-fashioned idea.\u201d As a student of philosophy, he was interested in more intellectual pursuits \u2013 until the recession hit and his degree left him few career options.<\/p>\n
The silver lining, he said, was the community garden he walked by on his way to work. As a student with financial aid, the garden meant nothing \u2013 but when he started working for minimum wage washing dishes part time, the garden began to look more like it could be a way to save money.<\/p>\n
\u201cI began my journey of learning to grow my own food<\/a>, unaware of all that the garden would eventually grow in me,\u201d<\/strong> Wellman said.<\/p>\n
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