Will Allen to Discuss the Future of Urban Farming

Wednesday, Nov. 9

Food deserts and the growing global food crisis have become popular topics in recent years, and for good reason. As the amount of agriculturally-available land decreases due to factors such as commercial farming and urban sprawl – plus flooding and droughts due to climate change – population continues to rise. It doesn't take an economist to figure out that the laws of supply and demand will eventually tilt toward decreased quantities and increased costs for fresh produce. The bottom line: The food crisis is a complex problem demanding innovative solutions.

Will Allen, author of The Good Food Revolution and creator of Growing Power, a nonprofit for urban agriculture training, will speak at Penn State Behrend on these issues and others related to personal, social, and community health in areas of low food supply. In his book, Allen discusses ways to grow greater food yields in small spaces, the importance of community involvement, and combating racism in the process. His work on his Milwaukee, Wisconsin 3-acre urban garden has contributed significantly to methods such as composting and aquaponics.

In 2008, Allen received a MacArthur Foundation "Genius Grant," and in 2010, Time magazine named him one their 100 World's Most Influential People.

Now's your opportunity to be influenced by this food pioneer. – Ti Sumner

7:30 p.m. // free and open to the public // McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building, Penn State Behrend // for more information, contact the Office of Student Activities at 898.6171 // growingpower.org