This photo and caption originally appeared in the Washington Island Observer

Will Allen, founder and CEO of Growing Power, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit credited with leading the urban farm movement visited former Growing Power volunteer, Russell Rolffs. While on the Island, Allen and his family visited Gathering Ground, a new nonprofit founded by Russell and Alessandra Rolffs, with a mission to educate youth and adults in sustainable agriculture, promote economic development through agriculture, and strengthen the health of individuals, the Washington Island community, and the environment. Russell shared Gathering Ground’s vision for orcharding with Allen. Growing Power recently started an urban orchard in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and the two growers hope to share resources and knowledge about disease-resistant, hardy fruit and nut trees in the future.