Will Allen of Milwaukee's Growing Power – a farm and community food center in Milwaukee – has won a grand prize of $25,000 in Green Giant's Green Awards contest. The prize money will be used to support the Will Allen Scholarship which helps members of Growing Power's Youth Corps pay for college.

More than 100 entrants submitted a video and accompanying essay to describe their projects. The public and a panel of judges reviewed the videos and essays in March and April, and the awards were presented May 13 in Los Angeles.

"The finalists are all winners. They're all doing very worthy work," says Allen.

Allen, the son of a sharecropper, a former professional basketball player,  an ex-corporate sales leader, and now farmer, is recognized as among the most visionary leaders of our time on agriculture and food policy. He is the founder and CEO of Growing Power, Inc., and is widely considered the leading authority in the expanding field of urban agriculture.

Allen promotes the belief that all people, regardless of their economic circumstances, should have access to fresh, safe, affordable and nutritious foods at all times.

"This award recognizes the importance of urban agriculture and sustainable food systems in our world. I accepted the award on behalf of my great staff at Growing Power. But I know that I was representing all of the people who are working to support good food systems," says Allen.