The Milwaukee Common Council has approved a $425,000 Community Development Block Grant from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to partially fund the program, proposed by Growing power.

That money will only partially pay for the ambitious multi-million dollar program. Growing Power's Will Allen has said he will seek $5 million in foundation support and additional monies form other partners.

Under the program, which has also received support from the city's African American Male Unemployment Task Force, up to 50 jobs would be created during the first year of the program, with additional positions being added over the following two years. The agricultural jobs would help in the construction of 150 hoop style greenhouses on vacant or blighted lots throughout the city.

For a thorough report on the program's goals, head over to Milwaukee Magazine's Milwaukee NewsBuzz site.

Photo of Growing Power's Will Allen by Liz Setterfield.