Nominated by Liz Kirkham
Growfood.org connects a new generation with the small farm experience and facilitates apprenticeships for aspiring farmers.
In 2001, when they were 20 years old, Ethan Schaffer (Brower Youth Award Winner, 2002) and Sarita Role Schaffer (Fulbright Scholar, 2007-8) founded GrowFood.org as a nonprofit organization that connects people with organic farmers, urban gardeners, green builders, renewable energy experts, policy crafters, and organizations that practice and teach what others only preach.
Eight years later, GrowFood.org is more than a mere expert-novice matchmaking site. It has become an online hub for people who want to get their hands dirty building a healthier food system and a greener economy. More than 17,000 people from all 50 states and 21 Latin American countries now use the site to find organic farms and urban gardens to work and learn on, and to build coalitions, pool resources, and launch new sustainable enterprises.
Currently GrowFood.org is in the process of improving and relaunching its website to fill the growing demand and need for learning practical skills in sustainable farming and living.
This piece is part of Worldchanging's Attention Philanthropy campaign. All week long, the Worldchanging Network will be delivering "attention grants" to worthy projects, individuals, resources and more. You can learn more about these gifts of notice and find other entries by clicking here.
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