[ForestBeekeeper]

Is anyone here familiar with Will Allen? He is a Farmer, and the Founder of Growing Power, Inc.

http://www.growingpower.org/

From his website; It looks like in 1993 he took over his wife's family farm of 3 acres in the Oak Creek suburb of Milwaukee. This 3 acre farm was the last tract in the city of Milwaukee still zoned for agriculture. Then neighborhood kids began to ask him for advice and assistance with growing their own vegetables. In 1995, Growing Power Inc. was born: a not-for-profit center for urban agriculture training and building community food security systems.

Will has been an innovator in methods of composting, vermicomposting (using worms to refine and fertilize compost) and aquaponics (growing fish and food plants in a closed system). These and other intensive practices result in remarkable yields of food, even in a very small area. Today, Growing Power is involved in more than 70 projects and outreach programs in Milwaukee.

http://www.mofga.org/TheFair/Keynotes/tabid/305/Default.aspx

Will has agreed to be a Keynote speaker at the Common Ground Fair, Friday, September 23 – 11 a.m.

 

[Creek Walker]

Yeah I've watched his youtube video several times and the man is amazing with what he has done. Of course he doesn't hurt to have a steady supply of volunteers.

 

[Freedomwithout]

Far away from that keynote speech, but his closed system aquaponics flip over and Ph regulation and ammonia regulation is on point.

I have been doing aquaponics for awhile and it is very very challenging for a closed system. This guy is gifted.

 

[vigilant20]

That's awesome! I've done the tour there and put in some volunteer hours. I keep meaning to get back for more

 

[Greenthumb Wanna-B]

Nice... I'll have to keep up with this

 

[ForestBeekeeper]

On Saturday, September 24 – 11 a.m., the keynote speaker will be Amanda Beal. President & CEO of Maine Farmland Trust, and co-author of "A New England Food Vision: Healthy Food for All, Sustainable Farming and Fishing, Thriving Communities."

A New England Food Vision – Considerations for building capacity to produce at least 50 percent of the region's food by 2060

She is looking at the future of our region: a future in which food nourishes a social, economic and environmental landscape that supports a high quality of life for everyone, including generations to come. Such an aspirational vision has attracted great interest and support from farmers, fishermen, policymakers, academics and many others. Yet as the path toward achieving this vision emerges, it remains largely to be built, and Maine plays an especially important role in the potential to produce 50 percent of the region's food by 2060. Beal will give an overview of "A New England Food Vision" and describe how it is being used by numerous individuals and organizations. She will tell what needs to be done to achieve the goal of producing at least 50 percent of the region's food by 2060.