A Florida couple has been fined for having a garden of vegetables in their front yard. On Jan. 9, Christian Post reported that Jason and Jennifer Helvenston could be forced to pay $500 per day if they don't destroy their garden. The couple has no intention of removing their garden and they plan on fighting the law.
"It has been found that they are violating a local Orlando City Code that says people are prohibited from using their front gardens to grow vegetables," Christian Post reports. The Helvenston's believe that they have a right to grow their own food on their own property -- regardless whereabouts on said property they choose to do so.
The couple fined for having a front yard garden was given until Thursday to get rid of it, but instead, they began the "Plant a Seed, Change the Law" initiative and they plan to fight the law. It seems as though they have a lot of support too. Several letters and emails from various residents have been sent in, protesting the "front yard garden law."
"The greatest freedom you can give someone is the freedom to know they will not go hungry. Our Patriot Garden pays for all of its costs in healthy food and lifestyle while having the lowest possible carbon footprint. It supplies valuable food while being attractive. I really do not understand why there is even a discussion. They will take our house before they take our Patriot Garden," said Jason Helvenston.
The couple fined for having a garden in their front yard have yet to change the laws or "get a pass" in this case. According to an attorney, the couple will be forced to pay the $500 per day fine starting on Thursday.
© Effie Orfanides 2013
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