Thomas Crain: Serving Inner-City Communities

Tom Crain is co-founder of Shanti Community Farms, Inc., Akron, OH, a new non-profit that preserves the agricultural heritage of immigrants/refugees both young and old. He champions farm-to-school projects for K-12 education. He is also chief paddler of the Akron Portage ‘n Paddle, a canoe and carry endurance race and community event.  He recently added the management of a community house project serving inner city residents to become financially fit and start their own businesses.

About our discussion he says, "I look forward to discussing how important and rewarding it is to serve inner-city communities.  I will discuss the merits of serving the immigrant/refugee community through my work with Shanti Community Farms and the transient mixed income, mixed race neighborhood of Akron’s West Hill through the newly formed UPD40 corridor and Akron Portage ‘n Paddle canoe race and prehistoric canoe encampment.  I also will discuss my passion and continuing need for Farm-to-School initiatives in the public schools, particularly with Title I students."