Urban farming legend Will Allen is everywhere these days. In 2008 he won a MacArthur Grant. Just a few weeks ago, he was presented with an Natural Resources Defence Council (NRDC) Growing Green Award. And now this: the current issue of Fast Company lists Will Allen as number 91 in its list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business. Here's an excerpt from the article:
If it were up to Will Allen, low-income urbanites would be cultivating fresh fruit, vegetables, and fish in community centers, in empty lots, even on their own rooftops. "People don't realize that cities originally produced the food," says Allen, an urban-farming expert who has pioneered a local-farming movement.
Rather than bringing people back to the land, Allen's methods of growing food and teaching urban cultivation are transforming the way low-income families can get safe, affordable meals. "Obesity, diabetes, and inadequate nutrition are increasing at an alarming rate, especially for the poor and people of color," he says. He considers it a civil rights issue. "I'm interested in creating a more just food system. How do we get the same food to all people?" 
Allen is a phenomenal leader, doing amazing things. I encourage you to read the rest of the 100 Most Creative People in Business Will Allen feature. Incidentally, Dan Barber, executive chef and co-owner of New York's Blue Hill Farm restaurants is listed in the same article as number 73.
