Enter the Gurnee American Legion

The Gurnee American Legion Post 771 decided that Growing Healthy Veterans could play an important part in their efforts to expand their membership to younger veterans.

In the spring of 2018 they offered Growing Healthy Veterans the use of two and a half acres of land that adjoins the baseball fields next to their Legion Hall.

GHV decided that this was an ideal location to use to build hoop houses which would expand the growing season. Lukan, Marshall and Commander Jim Huisel consulted with Will Allen, an internationally recognized urban farmer from Milwaukee. Will Allen not only offered to donate the frame for the 20’x48’ hoop house, but also to come to Gurnee to help with the construction of the first hoop house.

On October 20, Will Allen joined over sixty volunteers, including 22 veterans and 2 active duty, along with members of the community, to begin construction of the first hoop house.