Daily tours are $10/person and last from 1.5 to 2 hrs. “One of the things I have issues with is the way this story is sometimes being portrayed, that Growing Power was a failure, that [its dissolution] sort of shows how unsustainable these things are,” says Michael Carriere, an associate professor at MSOE (Milwaukee School of Engineering) who specializes in urban agriculture and urban redevelopment. “I started as for-profit, so now it’s like going back to my roots. Allen was awarded a $500,000 "genius grant" in 2008 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. “I’m amazed that there’s this much stuff and in relatively good shape to have a really rich archive,” he says. One Aquaponic system holds more than 8,000 tilapia fish. Together Alone – A Virtual Photography Exhibition, Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Michael Carriere, associate professor at MSOE. Sign up for membership to become a founding member and help shape HuffPost's next chapter, Register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot today. The tall and charismatic former professional basketball player spread the gospel of urban ag, inspiring a generation of urban farmers in Milwaukee and far beyond with his infectious can-do attitude. Visitors get to tour the urban farm and learn about Growing Power's philosophies in action. “Then you have someone like Will Allen offering an alternative model that is actually healing to the environment.”. Rather than embracing the “back to the land” approach promoted by many within the sustainable agriculture movement, Allen’s holistic farming model incorporates both cultivating foodstuffs and designing food distribution networks in an urban setting. There are also goats and chickens and worms to see which might hold their attention. … Last semester, Carriere’s students sorted and organized them. They have goats for mike/cheese and chickens for eggs. pros: Great local growing project, inexpensive, great knowledge reservoir, tour guides cons: None I can think of! Also, Will Allen has a new book you can purchase. They are planning a new vertical facility. Allen said Monday a future plan, led by Growing Power's board of directors, will be released in the next week. I really don’t want to talk about it at this point. He has served as the founder and CEO of Growing Power, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, since 1995 and has taught workshops to aspiring urban farmers across the United States and abroad. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Operations at Growing Power halted last week because of the reorganization. Also, Will Allen has a new book you can purchase. For the Nov 3 election: States are making it easier for citizens to vote absentee by mail this year due to the coronavirus. In addition, the guide shares new experiments they are trying out including insulating buildings with compost piles, solar heating, water collection systems, and projects with local universities.