Courtesy Growing Power
Will Allen ’s Growing Power , an urban farm in Milwaukee , Wis. , make 150 line of work to be implemented in the next three old age through the Growing Capacity for the Green Economy Project .
In a recent legislative move by the Milwaukee ( Wis. ) Common Council , Will Allen ’s across the country recognized urban farm , Growing Power , Inc. , receive $ 425,000 to build 150 hoop - house gardens on vacant Din Land within the metropolis .
Growing Power ’s proposal , called “ grow Capacity for the Green Economy , ” was made in February 2011 to Milwaukee ’s African - American Male Unemployment Task Force , whose mission is to work with community organizations and businesses to scale down joblessness among dim male in Milwaukee , Wis. Thehoop - housegardens will be tended by beginning urban James Leonard Farmer , create 150 young jobs that will be replete by unemployed hoi polloi in Milwaukee . late estimates have put Milwaukee ’s African - American male - unemployment rate at more than 25 percent , one of the highest rates in the nation .
“ This is a strong beginning , ” Allen says . “ To do this computer programme the right way , we will take three times this amount . Our doer will need training , and we will need living staff , in summation to the wicket domiciliate themselves . ”
But Allen is affirmative about what lies ahead .
“ We can find this money , ” he says . “ The low overall monetary value for the benefits the programme will bring — both in terms of creating jobs and providing fresh , nutritious food for urban menage — will hopefully be a herculean rule for achiever . ”
Allen predicts that the political platform will assist as a theoretical account for low - price , minimum - step urban farming in other city and become a significant component of green line - existence efforts in the U.S.
Through the Growing Capacity for the Green Economy Project , Growing Power will affect Milwaukee ’s universe in several way :
“ Milwaukee is a world leader in urban USDA , ” says Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett . “ This effort flux the benefit of increase use opportunity with all the advantage to Milwaukee residents of locally grown dear food . Growing Power has done some great body of work in Milwaukee , and with this project , we are optimistic that the slap-up final result will carry on . ”
Growing Power will equal 100 percent of the $ 425,000 grant , accord to Allen . However , he predicts that for the opening move to be a success , much more will be needed to pay for the preparation and materials necessary to assure the proper care of the 150 year - round food production sites throughout the city .
Allen ground Growing Power in 1993 to produce and deliver healthy food to low - income urban universe .
