"My teachers encouraged my interest in environmental activism and entrepreneurialism. As an undergrad, I helped create the DePaul Urban Farming Organization, an initiative that gave me a chance to practice farming and work on the politics that surround the field. I was also an intern with the Gary Comer Youth Center, where I learned the ins and outs of managing an urban farm. Through these experiences and with the guidance of my professors, I learned to take a professional approach to urban farming. Much of urban agriculture is about serving underserved communities or markets. By combining my love for farming with DePaul's service mission, I was able to see urban farming not only as a viable option for my career, but also as a noble cause, a way to revitalize cities. I'm happy to be participating in the resurgence of Detroit.
At DePaul I found a real business model for urban farming, one built on the three pillars of sustainability: the environment, the community and the economy. I was able to experiment without risk, and my teachers gave me confidence that I could actually succeed."
Andrew (BS '13)