Urban farming program gets aid

City giving $425,000; 150 jobs expected

By Larry Sandler
Journal Sentinel
Mar 4, 2011

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Milwaukee will contribute $425,000 to an ambitious urban agriculture program that could create 150 jobs for low-income central-city residents, the Common Council has decided.

Aldermen voted unanimously this week to support the plan by Growing Power, the nonprofit farm on the city’s northwest side.

Growing Power has promised to raise money to match the city contribution dollar for dollar, but likely will have to raise three times as much as the city puts in, founder Will Allen said.

The project would build 150 hoop houses, or protective structures for growing vegetables in raised beds, on vacant or blighted city-owned lots at various locations. First, 20 people would be hired to build the hoop houses, and then another 130 would be trained to work in the structures.

Money from the sale of vegetables would be used to pay the wages of the workers. Growing Power also would hire staff to supervise the workforce.

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