Rare vintage World War I and World War II posters illustrate home front efforts in When Gardening Was Patriotic, an exhibition opening with a reception on Saturday January 12, at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. The reception from 4:00- 6:00 p.m. features The Big Little Jazz Band playing favorites from the American Songbook, refreshments and a no-host bar. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 for members. To RSVP call 805-525-3100.

Mighty Machines in Miniature also opens January 12, and includes more than 30 model tractors from the W. C. (Bill) Milligan, Jr. Collection. When Gardening Was Patriotic runs through March 17 and Mighty Machines ends December 30, 2013.

The colorful posters featured in When Gardening Was Patriotic are from the Museum of Ventura County’s collection, and reveal how civilians during both wartime periods were encouraged to raise their own food, preserve goods and conserve resources. The posters, local newspaper reports and family artifacts document how food efforts were emphasized by the government. People participated in Meatless Mondays and Wheatless Wednesdays, and children were recruited into the U.S. School Garden Army to be "soldiers of the soil."

The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, California, in their historic downtown, near the Depot and next to the railroad tracks. Hours are 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, free for Museum of Ventura County members, and for children ages 5 and younger. Paid events include free admission to the galleries, and the first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public. For more information, go to www.venturamuseum.org or call (805) 525-3100.