Cabbage-Gate: Georgia Man Fined for Growing Too Many Veggies

Steve Miller has grown organic veggies on his property for nearly 15 years. The Clarkston, Georgia man churns out figs, broccoli, cabbage, and other produce on his two-acre plot of land, selling the veggies at nearby farmers' markets or giving them away to his neighbors. "When he moved here, and I found out what he was doing, I said, 'Steve, you're the best thing that ever happened to Cimarron Drive,'" Miller's neighbor, Britt Fayssoux, told WSBTV. "And I still say that."

Growing cool veggies may seem innocuous, but it's landed Miller in some hot water. Back in January of this year, DeKalb County Code Enforcement officers cited Miller for growing too many vegetables and having unpermitted workers on his property. Apparently, according to city zoning laws, Miller broke the law when he started producing that many organic veggies on his land. Miller responded by putting his garden on a hiatus this summer while he got his property rezoned. But here's the kicker: The city is still suing Miller. "It's a passion that I have and unfortunately, the passion has gotten me into trouble and I can't understand why," Miller told a WSBTV reporter.

It's bad enough that a city would go after a guy for growing organic produce and giving it away to his neighbors (oh, the horror!). But to add insult to injury, code enforcement officers are still trying to slap Miller with $5,000 in fines even though he took the necessary steps to get his land rezoned. According to WSBTV, officials believe that they should throw the book at Miller because his infractions occurred before the rezoning.

Urban gardens like Miller's are sprouting up (literally) across the U.S. These small-scale food production sites — which are reminiscent of World War II-era victory gardens — are a huge boon for the sustainable food movement. For one, they decrease America's reliance on Big Ag operations, which are linked to a host of environmental and health issues. Urban gardeners also tend to use ecologically friendly growing methods, much like Miller, who grows his veggies organically. Finally, they ensure food security not only for individual gardeners, but for a community at large.

Sadly, as is the case with Miller, archaic city zoning laws often run counter to the urban farming movement. "As agriculture comes back into urban areas, we are dealing with old laws on the books," Alice Rolls, director of Georgia Organics, told WALB News.

Miller's not only boosting his local community, his organic garden furthers the sustainable food movement at large. To criminalize the actions of a model citizen is, well, criminal. Sign our petition asking DeKalb County officials to drop legal actions against Miller and allow him to continue growing his urban garden.

Photo credit: ell brown via Flickr