• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Stories that are part of our lives

  • Blog
  • My Books
  • About
  • Contact Me

Inspired by Will Allen — Matthew 25 Urban Farm ~ Cedar Rapids

September 26, 2013 By Jacqueline Briggs Martin

A sign in long grass says "Cultivate Hope"

Clint Twedt-Ball and his brother Courtney Ball, co-directors of Matthew 25 farm
Clint Twedt-Ball and his brother Courtney Ball, co-directors of Matthew 25 farm.

Good ideas grow like plump seeds dropped in good ground. Last weekend I had a chance to see that again.

I went to an urban farm in Cedar Rapids–Matthew 25. The farm was inspired by Will Allen and has as its goal the same goal as Will Allen’s Growing Power Farm– to provide tasty, healthy food at reasonable prices to people in the area. The co-directors are Clint Twedt-Ball and his brother Courtney.

Play equipment on a very small bridge.
Play equipment welcomes neighborhood kids.
A picture of an unfenced plot of growing plants.
No fences.
Vegetables grow next to train tracks and industrial buildings.
Vegetables grow next to train tracks and industrial buildings.

Vegetables grow next to train tracks and industrial buildings

Matthew 25 has plans to send one of its farmers to Will Allen’s Growing Power Farm this winter, expand its farm next year, grow more vegetables plant more fruit trees. Courtney Ball has worked with others to set up school yard gardens at two schools in Cedar Rapids.

At a time when there are people in our country who would cut food stamp benefits to those who need them (see Paul Krugman on this), thus depriving children–and adults–of needed food, it is uplifting to meet people who are succeeding at helping others to eat better and are strengthening communities with good food.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table

    Previous Post

  • Announcing: Good Times

    Next Post

  • Book Parties!

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your email address to get my new blog posts immediately sent to your inbox.

NOTE: Children under 13 years old must have their parents
fill in the email form below using their parent’s email address.

Footer

Special Events

Book Cover for Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life

Announcing “Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life“

I am so excited about the publication this summer of my new book Farmer Eva’s Green Garden Life. The book tells the story of one Massachusetts farmer who has supported herself, become a legend, and built a community growing greens and herbs on 2-3 acres of land. Here’s a recent review from Shelf Awareness: Picture […]

Contact Me

artwork - frog using laptop next to phone booth

(Click the picture above to contact me)

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your email address to get my new blog posts immediately sent to your inbox.

Children under 13 years old must have their parents fill in the email form below using the parent’s email address.

Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy (US)

Copyright © 2025 Jacqueline Briggs Martin. All Rights Reserved.

Website by Market Street.