After 6 years of fighting in court for their rights they finally succeeded, now they can grow in peace, after recent legislative changes that protect their right to plant vegetables in their own yard.
Hermine Ricketts and her husband T. Carroll maintained a garden on their property for almost two decades, before the state came and told them that it was illegal; their garden was in violation of a particular ordinance which bans front-yard vegetable gardens.
To fight for their right to grow they had to endure a multi-year legal battle against the city of Miami Shores.
They were threatened that they would be fined at least $50 every single day that they refused to get rid of the garden that they had worked for almost 20 years to take care of.
After a new rule went into effect this July in Florida, people in the region will now have the freedom to plant vegetables and fruits on their own front lawns if they wish to.
It's just unfortunate that it took some bureaucrats, plenty of tax dollars, and a great deal of paper and ink in order for that to be determined.
There is no common sense in threatening to fine a peaceful couple who are simply trying to homestead and live off of their own land. Still, a rule had to be passed that now expressly prohibits the state from prohibiting individuals who own property to grow their own vegetables in their yard.
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