About the Book & Authors
About 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
About 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.