Governors recognize Will Allen’s work

Posted on July 10, 2009 with No Comments

Milwaukee – July 9, 2009 – The National Governors Association announced last week that Growing Power founder and CEO Will Allen had been chosen to receive a prestigious Distinguished Service to State Government award. Just eight individuals nationwide are honored each year: three state officials, three private citizens, and two representatives of the arts.

Allen was recognized as one of the three private recipients for his work in Milwaukee and across the nation to encourage better access for all people to healthier foods.

“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,” said Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle in a statement announcing the award. “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.”

Allen has been invited to personally accept his award during the opening plenary session of the governors’ organization’s Annual Meeting, July 18, in Biloxi, Miss. However, the hardworking Allen already has a longstanding commitment to conduct training workshops that weekend.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be given this award by the governors of the 50 states,” Allen said, “and I wish I could get to Biloxi, not just to accept the award but to spread the word about the good food revolution that is occurring in America. But the work never stops, and the work comes first.”