An Orlando-area couple that faced prosecution from city officials over their front-yard garden in November is in hot water once again after refusing to dig up their veggies, only this time they are facing stiff financial penalties for their non-compliance.

According to the Florida chapter of the Institute of Justice, Jason and Jennifer Helvenston will be charged fines of up to $500 a day beginning Jan. 10 if they don’t follow orders to uproot a garden that they say is helping sustain them.

But instead of renting a backhoe the couple has decided to stand up for what they believe is their constitutional right – to utilize their own property to grow their own food. So, in protest of the city’s ordinance, the Helvenston’s have launched “Plant a Seed, Change the Law,” a movement aimed at getting the mandate changed or struck down.

Big time fines for growing food?

NaturalNews reported earlier that the Helvenston’s 25-foot by 25-foot garden located in their front yard was not in compliance with the city’s code. But local media said that, in response to receiving hundreds of emails from residents supporting the couple, city officials backed off, saying they would hold off on reprisals. But that tide of good will has ended; now, the city is asking the couple to dig up their micro-irrigated garden of radishes, wax beans, kale and other veggies and replace it with a lawn – or be fined.

“The greatest freedom you can give someone is the freedom to know they will not go hungry,” said Jason Helvenston. “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.”

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038646_home_gardens_fines_Orlando.html#ixzz2HjHGbV1f