I am new to fig growing. I have 2 mature fig trees in the backyard (Celeste and an unknown) and 3 recent additions. Now, I do attend church, infact I consider how AWESOME God must be if His creation can be so wonderful (figs anyone?) When you taste the most amazing fig ever, does it ever cross your mind how infinitely more amazing the Creator must be? I live in central Texas, it is crowded with churches and I am yet to see a single church that has planted a biblical garden, or a fig tree. We live in a strange time...when people spend a lot of money for ornamentals and could care less to plant something edible. Fig friends, the time is ripe to encourage churches to plant edible gardens. I am proposing to plant some figs at my church, we'll see if I am succesful. Blessings!

I wish you success in your fig mission,in all the abrahamic faiths figs are mentioned in the books and the traditions,as a believer you can only marvel at creation,be thankful for the blessings we have and try to spread people's knowledge and appreciation of those blessings.If you give someone a fruit that is an act of charity,for which as a believer you can hope to be rewarded,however if you plant a fruit tree you are potentially feeding people and others,birds,insects etc for generations to come.If you also explain to people the role fruit trees have in your faith and as a result they are thankful and praise God more or take some positive action that they would not have done you hadn't said anything then you have increased their faith a notch as well and maybe God will smile on you for that.

I really can't see how for anyone,irrespective of what they believe or not,planting a fruit tree would be a bad thing,there are only ever positives to spreading and nurturing any of Gods creation,whether that is a a plant,an animal or a child,we have been made guardians and custodians of the living world through Gods trust in our good nature.It is the ornaments of this life which distract us from the truth of what is important.

Haroon

Amen!! :-)! And, I have always had the idea that if we just cultivated fruiting trees, plants & bushes around the world, we could at least make a dent on hunger. So many people are starving.

Some years ago, Los Angeles was granted its first fruiting public park. Its a ways from where I live so unfortunately, I have not been there yet but what great idea! http://laist.com/2013/01/04/las_first_public_fruit_park_set_to.php

there is a restaurant near my home calked "Monkey Business Cafe ." It employees at risk youth, which I think is really wonderful! I drive past there every day. Their landscaping, consists of, for the most part, edible plants & herbs. I just think we could really make a positive impact on our society if we did more of this kind of thing. Anyway, I plan to donate to them one of my potted fig trees. I havent decided which one yet but maybe one with a good story behind it? I know there are some really good ones so I would have to research. This is the lonk..,http://m.monkeybusinesscafe.org/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monkeybusinesscafe.org%2F&utm_referrer=#2629

I think in areas which are more rural/agricultural people tend to be slightly more receptive,their families may only be a generation or two away from the land(like myself).I now live on the edge of Birmingham in what is called 'The Black Country, due to the smog of industrialisation that there once was here,it is the second largest urban conglomeration of towns after London,and has about 3million people across it he whole County(The West Midland).Many people here are 5-10 generations away from the land and only encounter growing food though such projects or community food growing land set aside,which you can rent,such as allotments(which I have).Kids and young families are most receptive I think because there is a renewed realisation in the cities that they have become disconnected,there is plenty of scope for this sort of very important work

Even in the city here I can harvest for free,figs,apples,plums,pears,damsons,blackberries,raspberries,Japanese Wineberries,walnuts,chestnuts,hazelnuts,medlars,Japanese quince,cherries,elderberries/flowers etc,no one else seems to bother,people have food growing at the bottom of their gardens and get they will let that rot and buy THE SAME fruit from the supermarket because they think if it's growing here it must somehow be inedible,,any work that anyone can do to reconnect people,whether through faith or through other community based work can only be a good thing

If you're in to urban agriculture I recommend following this operation on facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/GatewayGarlic/?fref=ts

The lead farmer has helped dozens of people across the country and is constantly implementing innovative projects on a shoestring or no budget.

Because he constantly provides truckloads of food for free to the poor the city and individuals have provided him with a lot of resources and he still makes money by selling to chefs and stores plus his CSA.

I just finished an eight-week program, today as a matter of fact, at a church that donates 100% of the produce from their Gardens to food pantries and shelters and senior citizen homes. There was mention of at least three different churches that donate their produce also. I think the urban Agriculture and the know where your food comes from movement is definitely on the rise.