Did you see that Will Allen, a pioneering urban farmer, won a MacArthur Genius Grant for his work in building an agrarian culture in the city, via his nonprofit organization Growing Power? Here's something from the MacArthur site:
Rather than embracing the "back to the land" approach promoted by many within the sustainable agriculture movement, Allen's holistic farming model incorporates both cultivating foodstuffs and designing food distribution networks in an urban setting. Through a novel synthesis of a variety of low-cost farming technologies - including use of raised beds, aquaculture, vermiculture, and heating greenhouses through composting - Growing Power produces vast amounts of food year-round at its main farming site, two acres of land located within Milwaukee's city limits. Recently, cultivation of produce and livestock has begun at other urban and rural sites in and around Milwaukee and Chicago. Over the last decade, Allen has expanded Growing Power's initiatives through partnerships with local organizations and activities such as the Farm-City Market Basket Program, which provides a weekly basket of fresh produce grown by members of the Rainbow Farmer's Cooperative to low-income urban residents at a reduced cost. The internships and workshops hosted by Growing Power engage teenagers and young adults, often minorities and immigrants, in producing healthy foods for their communities and provide intensive, hands-on training to those interested in establishing similar farming initiatives in other urban settings. Through these and other programs still in development, Allen is experimenting with new and creative ways to improve the diet and health of the urban poor.
Here's a video in which Will talks about what he does. Will Allen is my new hero!
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Subscribe
Thanks for your efforts,
I, Niomi is a 7th grade student. I'm looking for information for a project, the topic is do cook beans grow. Now for me to do such report, I think it would be important for me to get in contact with MR. Allen, for guidance. With assistance from a pro I such master this report. Can you please help me out with this request.
Thank you in advance.
P.S. I will also so the presentation.
Bugg,
I apologize. It was not my intent to belittle your garden, but, upon rereading my comment, I was needlessly and thoughtlessly rude. Mea culpa. I think it's great if people grow what food they can. Fresh vegetables are a wonderful thing for your family, and certainly helps in your wallet. I do not think that you are stealing resources--you have as much right to our resources as any other human being.
My only point is that we have to consider the larger picture of food production to sustain our population (and assist in sustaining the larger world's population). In order to do this, we should maintain our arable land--it's a sore spot with me. Here in KS, we tend to assume that there is plenty of land. And there is, but most of it is non-arable. So, yeah, I am passionately opposed to arable land being used for housing or golf courses.
Once again, please accept my apologies for being so negative (and rude).
Over 25 years your family have created a ton of produce waste. Onion, patatoes, cabbage, oranges peels, grape stems and seeds, etc. If half of this waste was recycled in a compost bin you could be enjoying wonderful tomatoes and herbs this summer. Yes, it take time to get started but the rewards are wonderful. You could have reclaimed your land inch by inch. Gardening is a nice way to spend a few hours.
Many community gardeners reclaimed vacant lots, educated and feeding low income neighborhoods from produce grown over the summers. These programs are in many states in america. Mr. Allen is just one program. There are many following his lead.
A brooklyn community gardener.
Will is an amazing urban farmer. He has excelled in bringing an exceptional approach to the crisis of fast food vs. organic food choices within the community.
Under stressors from inner city lifestyle choices, he continues to be a beacon of pro-quality food. His unique impetus towards teaching a lifestyle which embraces whole, organic food has catapulted him into well deserved recognition for his steadfast endeavors.
I am so proud to say that I not only know William Allen as the farmer extraordinaire, he is a dear brother-in-law.
Thank you so much for what you do..and what you mean to me and all of our family,
Sinceley, and with love,
Abby McGurty
I agree with Mr. Allen that the new gardener will be the urban at home or community gardener. As people become more informed about the benefits of organic food and the poisons in our food sources I believe people will be driven to grow their own, or join a CSA or some other cooperative venture. Many people can not afford to buy decent organic produce or free range chemical free meats. I do believe that the lack of whole food is connected to many of our diseases today and the increase in allergies. In my neighborhood you have to have a car to really get to a reasonably priced grocery store which will be limited and expensive in its organic choices.
I grow my own seasonal vegetables and I have planted some fruit trees. I have added rain barrels and a compost pile to my yard. My busy schedule has not allowed me the time to take it beyond this point but someday I hope to. I believe God did want us to tend and guard the garden and part of the keeping of the garden was to keep poisons out. I believe we have a duty to take care of His Creation. I don't believe He ever intended for us to put toxic chemicals on the plants or put hormones in caged chickens. I am learning to use row covers and eat less meat or substitute meat alternatives. If you spend some time eating like Daniel you will see how many things are unhealthy around us.
I am thankful for great people like Will Allen. As a teacher and artist I know how important it is to reach and encourage our youth and I admire the diversity of people Mr. Allen involves and his heart for people. Wangari Maathai started with 9 seedlings and changed the lives of over 80,000 people. I pray that God continues to strengthen and guides Mr. Allen in his endeavors. He and his organization have become a model for many people.
I am excited because Will Allen will be coming to speak in Madison at the Goodman Community Center on September 17th at 6:00 pm and I am encouraging many people to join me there. If you are in the Madison area, I hope you will come.
God Bless You, Katharine
God Bless you, Katharine
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.