Urban Farmer Wins “Genius” Award

For an accomplished and lucky few, Christmas comes in September.

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced the winners of its annual “genius grants” this week. The selection is notable for its stimulating eclecticism; this year’s roster includes a plant evolutionary geneticist, an architectural preservationist, a Mesoamerican anthropologist, a traditional basketweaver, a medical historian and a stage lighting designer, in addition to the regular litany of artists, musicians and writers. Also new to this club of the talented, passionate and committed is Wisconsin urban farmer Will Allen.

Since 1993, Allen has been simultaneously developing groundbreaking, sustainable agricultural techniques while providing invaluable community service in the form of educational programs and affordable food for low-income urban populations in Milwaukee, Chicago and other locations in the upper midwestern United States. Co-founder of the Milwaukee-based non-profit Growing Power, Allen eschews the “back to the land” philosophy prevalent in the sustainable agriculture movement for the cultivation of small but efficient urban plots and a vertical business model that includes grassroots distribution networks. His approach also addresses issues of health awareness and diet with a focus on the prevention of obesity and diabetes, conditions known to afflict low-income communities in particular. (For an entirely unrelated but equally current story on the effects of obesity and fast-food diet on children’s health, click here.) Allen’s innovative farming techniques include “use of raised beds, aquaculture, vermiculture and heating greenhouses through composting”, all of which attempt to maximize yield in limited space - generally the only space available in urban locations - while keeping energy use and other costs at a mimimum.

The fellowships - awarded by the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation since 1981 - are accompanied by a $500,000 stipend with “no strings attached”. Nominees are selected by an independent panel and are unaware of their consideration until notified. One of this year’s grantees, John Ochsendorf of MIT’s architecture department, exclaimed, “I had to sit down… It changes everything. This is validation.” Notes MacArthur Foundation President Jonathan Fanton, “Generally there’s a pause and expressions of disbelief. I’ve had people drop the phone or say they need a minute because they feel weak.”

So when that phone rings next September, it may be best to answer sitting down. The holidays just might arrive a few months early…

Sources: “MacArthur Foundation awards 2008 ‘genius grants’”, Associated Press; “Urban Farmer’s Work Honored”, Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal; “Fast Food Hits Mediterranean; a Diet Succumbs”, New York Times; John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation website (www.macfound.org); Growing Power website (www.growingpower.org); African American Environmentalist Association website (aaenvironment.blogspot.com)


Posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 9:10 am | Tagged in Food, Green Collar Jobs, Technology | posted by Bill

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