Telling Women's Lives

Kailen Gore- Farmer Jane Reader Response

I found interest in Erika Allen’s farm. She is the founder of Growing Power Chicago (GPC) and she was included in the chapter about urban farming. The first part of her story that I found interesting was the educational choice she made in college despite her large involvement in her father’s farm. She received a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and she also received a master’s in art therapy. I think that having a parent that submerges you into a certain occupational field for a long time can make it subconsciously difficult to do something different than that in the future. So I look at her decision to study art over farming as a bold move.

Another thing I found interesting was the mission she had when she eventually changed her mind about farming and opened the offices of (GPC). She said it was to grow food, and to provide jobs and youth training programs. When I think of farmers I assume they all have the same goal of making food for themselves and everyone else in the world. But to see how she had bigger intentions than just that, showed me how much farmers can accomplish and fight for in society with the knowledge that they have.

Finally, the book includes a quote from Allen, about seven years into the farm’s operation, that I thought showcased Allen’s strength: “At this point everyone knows who we are. I don’t have to justify everything that we do.” Erika Allen is an African-American female, and the book mentions the sexism and institutionalized racism she endured from white city council members and white heads of other non-profits doing similar things, since starting the farm. But the quote shows how important a firm, resilient establishment is for the continuance of an enterprise.