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Erika Allen is Projects Manager for Growing Power and is headquartered in Chicago, IL. As the daughter of Will Allen, she has a small farm agricultural background and experience. She spent her formative years, involved in all aspects of farm management from transplanting seedlings to managing farm stands and farmer�s markets. Ms. Allen has received her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and recently received her MA in art therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Years of experience working in urban communities with art education and social service have brought her full circle back to her farming roots. Integrating the creative and therapeutic techniques with food security and community development have enabled Ms. Allen to establish four urban agriculture and food system projects in Chicago, IL. Recent work has included the development of the Chicago Food Policy Council, where she has been elected as co-chair and also serves as civic co-chair for The City of Chicago�s Chicago Organic initiative�s Education, Training and Schools sub-committee. Her specialties include project planning, community food systems design and direct marketing training. Supporting limited resource producers to strengthen their farm businesses and working in partnerships to create healthy and diverse food options in inner city and rural communities. Ms. Allen was an awardee for the Chicago Tribune�s Good Eating Award in 2006 and was honored by Family Focus in 2007 for her work in community food systems. In 2009, Women�s Environmental Institute (WEI) honored Erika as a Mother of the Environment for Minneapolis/St. Paul. She is also a Post Carbon Institute Fellow. Erika is currently serving on the Illinois Food, Farms and Jobs Act Council appointed by Illinois Governor Quinn. She is the proud mother of Emiliano �ayo� her toddler.
Recent speaking engagements include: Urban Agriculture Innovations: Carrot City at Parson�s New School, NYC, panelist Key note for Unite 4 Healthy Neighborhoods, sponsored by PedNet and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Columbia, MO Eat Well, Live Well, Move More � panelist for 2nd annual conference on Improving Health and transforming communities. Presented by Building a Healthier Chicago Family Farmed Expo speaker: Slow Money and Urban Agriculture panel Chicago Food Policy Advisory Council�s 5th Annual Summit: Opening Speaker
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