Harold B. Allen

Harold B. Allen began his career as a professor of agriculture at his alma mater, Rutgers University. He specialized in rural or “extension” education. In 1926 Allen took a two-year leave of absence from Rutgers to work with NER as Education Director, based in the Caucasus region. The Armenian government had granted 17,600 acres of land to NER in 1922 for agricultural development. Allen’s expertise was essential.

Allen traveled to Greek Macedonia in 1928 to create a new agriculture program for the area. He viewed the home and farm as inseparable: improve one, and you will improve the other. His innovative, holistic work combined health, hygiene, agriculture, and economic development to improve the lives of rural people. Allen’s Macedonia program became the model for NEF’s work across the globe.

After ten years in Macedonia, Allen returned to the United States. He was named President of the National Farm School in Doylestown, Pennsylvania (now Delaware Valley University).

Allen rejoined NEF as Director of Education and continued to consult with the Board for many years. Allen was appointed head of the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization Mission in Fundamental Education to the Arab States in 1950. Dr. Allen received the Gold Cross and the Order of the Phoenix from the Greek government for his work with NEF. He died in 1970.