Last week, First Lady Michelle Obama was joined by students from across the country as well as NASA representatives, including astronaut Cady Coleman, to plant the White House Kitchen Garden for the eighth year in a row and final time as First Lady. In 2009, Mrs. Obama first planted the garden to initiate a conversation about the health and wellbeing of our country, which then evolved into the Let’s Move! initiative.

“It was eight years ago that we cooked up this really interesting idea that maybe we could dig up some dirt on the South Lawn ... and we would plant a wonderful garden that would be a space for us to talk about the food we eat,” the First Lady said.

First Lady Michelle Obama joins students for the "Let's Move!" Spring garden planting in the White House Kitchen Garden, April 5, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Over the years, the fruits and vegetables harvested in the garden have been used in meals for the First Family and guests at White House events, including receptions and state dinners. Produce that isn’t used in the White House kitchen is donated to Miriam’s Kitchen, a local organization that prepares fresh, healthy meals for the homeless.

Students hailing from Cortez, Colorado; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Washburn, Wisconsin, whose schools have outstanding garden programs, planted alongside the First Lady this year. In addition, students from Bancroft Elementary School and Harriet Tubman Elementary School who regularly help in the White House Kitchen Garden also joined the event, as did a handful of high school students who participated in the very first planting as elementary students in 2009!

A student waters a row of freshly planted vegetables during the "Let's Move!" Spring garden planting with First Lady Michelle Obama in the White House Kitchen Garden, April 5, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

In addition to planting a variety of produce, students planted the same variety of lettuce that has been grown on the International Space Station (ISS). They also planted the same variety of cabbage that was sent to ISS just last week to be grown. Indeed, food can be grown in less conventional places, including space! A low-power, simple, on-orbit gardening system called “Veggie” enables space plant biology and food production. The ability to grow crop plants on the International Space Station provides astronauts with the option to supplement their diets with fresh, nutritious food that is truly out of this world!

First Lady Michelle Obama joins students and guests for the "Let's Move!" Spring garden planting in the White House Kitchen Garden, April 5, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

Just a few days after planting the White House Kitchen Garden, the First Lady continued her American Garden Tour to highlight the impact and benefits of diverse gardens throughout the country. Mrs. Obama stopped by schools in Georgia and New Jersey to visit and help in their school gardens. The First Lady kicked off the tour earlier this year with surprise garden visits in Washington, D.C. 

In case you missed it, watch as the First Lady, students, and NASA representatives planted the White House Kitchen Garden: