Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle recently presented Will Allen, chief executive officer and founder of Milwaukee-based Growing Power Inc, with his National Governor’s Association Distinguished Service Award.
"I want to thank Will Allen for his tireless efforts to promote healthy eating habits – not only around Wisconsin with his farms and produce stands, but around the country,” Doyle said. "The same passion Will once showed on the (basketball) courts, he now brings to Growing Power, a thriving farm full of plants, vegetables, fish and livestock in urban Milwaukee. Our state and nation are better, and healthier, because of Will’s work."
Established in 1976, the NGA Awards for Distinguished Service to State Government allow governors to bring national recognition to their states’ most valuable civil servants and private citizens. The awards emphasize the important contributions private citizens make to their state.
At Growing Power, Allen has worked to bring affordable, healthy food to urban neighborhoods. The organization raises fish, poultry and fresh vegetables in a home-made ecosystem on the north side of Milwaukee, and offers training, active demonstration, outreach, and technical assistance, particularly to teens and young adults.
