Former pro basketball player Will Allen, who is considered to be one of the nation's leading urban farmers and founder of Growing Power Inc., estimates that there are hundreds of thousands of urban gardens in inner cities across America. Urban farms help feed people, sustain neighorhoods » "It's beyond a movement at this point. Its more like a revolution," says Allen. Both Allen and Myers agree that the boom in urban farming for African-Americans is born out of necessity and not just echoing traditions. "Minority people are affected by poor food, more than any other groups," and many inner cities lack access to quality fruits and vegetables, Allen says. "Our food system is broken." "When you're poor, when you don't have access to resources, you have to create your own," says Myers. "So this is a way for people of African descent to use their creativity to grow their own food."
"It's beyond a movement at this point. Its more like a revolution," says Allen.
Both Allen and Myers agree that the boom in urban farming for African-Americans is born out of necessity and not just echoing traditions.
"Minority people are affected by poor food, more than any other groups," and many inner cities lack access to quality fruits and vegetables, Allen says. "Our food system is broken."
"When you're poor, when you don't have access to resources, you have to create your own," says Myers. "So this is a way for people of African descent to use their creativity to grow their own food."
Heartwarming... You can't be me, I'm taken
One of the other positive repercussions of the urban agriculture movement in the US [and elsewhere] is that it's reducing crime rates. Growing one's own food is an empowering thing to do; therapeutic, as well.
For any interested, here is an impassioned, 18 minute talk about urban agriculture, presented by a student at the University of British Columbia. Good web site at the link, also: cityfarmer.info.
Google search results for video clips about Will Allen's Growing Power initiative. Anyone planning to build an urban farm would do well to study his installation for its compactness and functionality. .
