Name: William Stanton (“Billy”)

Role: Farm Manager at Buffalo Go Green, working on the Glenwood property. He has been with Buffalo Go Green for 10 years.

Connection to Nature

Billy enjoys nature for its fresh air, changing seasons, and energy. Being outdoors helps him stay grounded and aware of his surroundings. “Nature is everything,” says Stanton.

Why Urban Farming Matters

“I care about urban farming because it’s a way for people to have access to fresh produce, especially in areas where it is extremely hard and expensive to get. Having these outlets helps people understand how to grow, what to grow, and the benefits of growing food—and the benefits of eating what you grow.”

Favorite Part of Buffalo Go Green’s Mission

In Billy’s words:

“To show people that food is medicine—that eating properly supports long-term health and helps prevent many avoidable ailments.”
He also values the organization’s focus on overall wellness through movement, mindfulness, and education.

Greenhouse Work

Billy is currently growing:

• Arugula
• Spring mix
• Chives
• Nasturtium
• Radishes
• Rosemary
• Blackberries

Expected Summer Crops

Cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, eggplant, leeks, kale, collards, red beets, carrots, celery, cherry tomatoes, ground husk cherries, chamomile, thyme, sage, nasturtium, catnip, mullein, lemon balm, mint, yarrow, and other herbs.

Farm Story

Over the years at the Glenwood farm, Billy has built strong relationships with neighbors. He enjoys teaching gardening skills and answering questions to help people learn and better understand gardening. “In return, we get unbelievable hospitality and respect from our neighbors.” It is a relationship that goes both ways.

Accomplishments at Buffalo Go Green

Throughout his decade at Buffalo Go Green, Billy has gained extensive knowledge of urban farming, the business behind it, and the ongoing work required to keep operations running smoothly. He has also learned about the challenges urban farmers face with regulations and policies.

Soil Health Tips

Use household food scraps (excluding meat and poultry) to create worm compost, or “black gold.” Healthy soil needs organic matter and a diverse microbial community—including fungi, nematodes, and algae—to support healthy plant growth.

Food Deserts & Community Health

“Food deserts impact all individuals who lack access to proper nutrition. Without adequate nutrients, the human body cannot develop properly. The growth of certain organs may be inhibited by poor nutrition, especially in babies while their brains are still developing. The lack of proper nutrition results in poor health, which can lead to many health issues later in life.”

Billy believes urban farms help address these challenges by educating communities and providing access to nutritious foods, but he also believes much more needs to be done.

Personal Success

Billy shared that he used herbs he grows at home to help reverse necrosis of the bone, strengthening his belief in the medicinal benefits of plants.

Favorite Crop

Herbs! Billy enjoys growing a wide variety of them.

Final Message

“Healthy eating benefits everyone, both now and in the future.”