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ºÚÁÏÌìÌà the Book & Authors

ºÚÁÏÌìÌà the Book

"The son of a sharecropper, Will Allen had no intention of ever becoming a farmer himself. But after years in professional basketball and as an executive for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Procter & Gamble, he cashed in his retirement fund for a two-acre plot just outside Milwaukee's largest public housing project. The area was a food desert with only convenience stores and fast-food restaurants to serve the needs of locals. Despite financial challenges and daunting odds, Allen built the country's preeminent urban farm-a food and educational center that now produces enough produce and fish year-round to feed thousands. Employing young people from the neighboring housing project and community, Growing Power shows how local food systems can help troubled youths, dismantle racism, create jobs, bring urban and rural communities closer together, and improve public health. Today, Allen's organization helps develop community food systems across the country."
-- Amazon

ºÚÁÏÌìÌà the Author

Will Allen is a farmer in Milwaukee and the current CEO of Growing Power. Will grew up on a small farm in Maryland, the second-youngest of six children of a sharecropper. While living in Belgium as a basketball player, Will reconnected with his farming roots. He observed the intensive methods used on small plots by local farmers, and began applying those methods in a garden where he grew food for his family and teammates. 

How Do I Get the Book?

Students: Copies are available for purchase at the USA Bookstore and at your local bookstore. Copies are available for loan at the University Library.

Students with Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability and wish to request this text in an alternate format, please contact Educational Accessibility and Disability Resources (CEADR) at (251) 460-7212.  No alternate format copies will be supplied without proper documentation.

Faculty and Staff: If you are interested in participating in this program or reviewing the text, please email commonread@southalabama.edu.