Erika Allen is Chicago and National Projects Director 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 nine urban
agriculture and food system projects in Chicago, IL. Her specialties include
project planning, community food systems design and direct marketing training.
Erika has provided technical assistance and planning support for thousands of
new and limited resource farmers and local food pioneers to strengthen farm
businesses. She actively works to create healthy and diverse food options in
inner-urban 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 served
on the Illinois Food, Farms and Jobs Act Council appointed by Illinois Governor
Quinn and most recently served on new Chicago Mayor - Rahm Emmanuel’s
transition team – Energy, Environment and Public Space Committee. Erika was
appointed as a Board Commissioner for the Chicago Park District. She is the
proud mother of 4 year old son Ayokunle, a Yoruba name meaning “joy fills the home and world”.
