Urban Growers Collective

From food waste to energy, climate change mitigation through methane capture economies and cpandion of edible and native forests with partners who have transformed pathways for community post incarceration. We have building our "capacity" and collective learning with Otis, Yennifer, Corvon and Sol of Planting Justice out of West Oakland. They are providing fruit tree grafting/propagation and pruning training to us. We are building a mentoring relationship through our EFOD Collaborative Collaborative cohort. We visited Green Era Chicago Campus Chicago Campus our new Z farm via The Conservation Fund Fund and our South Chicago Farm. The future is looking abundant!

Apple trees blooming in November. 180degree season change. Hope these sweet fruiters adapt to our warming climate. ???? #climatealert Photo: Paige Tobin

The discussion on improving access to healthy food in Chicago was insightful and impactful. The panel at Civics Day delved into crucial topics such as food justice, food equity, urban agriculture's growth, and advocating for equal access to nutritious food in Chicago. The dedicated individuals driving change and transforming systems include: - Elizabeth Abunaw from Forty Acres Fresh Market - Erika Allen from Urban Growers Collective - Mecca Bey from Grow Greater Englewood / Sistas in the Village - Dion Dawson from Dion’s Chicago Dream - Nick Davis, Community Food Navigator - Ruby Ferguson from Greater Chicago Food Depository For those looking to enhance their role as neighborhood leaders and contribute to local improvements, @ChicagoDPD and @ChicagoDCASE present #CityCivicsDay on Nov. 9, 2024. This event offers seminars, workshops, and panels with City of Chicago officials and community leaders. Join to amplify your civic engagement and contribute to a more vibrant city. Register for free at Chicago.gov/CityCivicsDay.

The Afrofuturism & Climate Change Retreat was nothing short of amazing! I’m so happy that I was able to create, plan & host such an impactful experiential learning opportunity for HBCU students. Chicago is the perfect place to think about EJ and sustainability innovatively. While some may see Chicago as a concrete jungle, they would be surprised to see how folks are reconnecting to the earth in spite of… (even native Chicagoans). With so many devastating climate disasters, rising rent costs, and rising food costs; it’s so Important to think about building sustainable people and neighborhoods for today and the future, using lessons from the past. Special thanks to all my sponsors & collaborators again! Tom's of Maine People's Climate Innovation Center Sustain Our Future Trust for Public Land & Good Shepherd Church in Washington Park, Bennett College Urban Growers Collective Plant Chicago Full video can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gs_KutiZ

Helping build economic opportunity for Black and brown urban food growers, mitigating food insecurity and increasing access to high quality, affordable, culturally affirming and nutritious food has been the focus for Urban Growers Collective. This Black and woman-owned nonprofit organization has tripled the land it has for cultivation in the Chicago area. Read more from Chicago Tribune’s third and final piece of the 3-part series about our #FarmsFund program: bit.ly/3NttKU6.

Join us this Saturday for our weekly volunteering shifts! As long as the weather cooperates, we need volunteers to tackle a day of hands-on work! If you’re new to the farm, kick off your day with an afternoon tour to discover the mission of Urban Growers Collective and the beautiful land we nurture. For our returning volunteers, feel free to sign up for both morning and afternoon shifts! Head over to Eventbrite to secure your spot. We can’t wait to see you there! https://lnkd.in/gqYyTYuR

We had a great day of healing, gratitude, community joy and abundance. UGC's people made this happen and exemplified resilience all year as we move and deepen our culture and programs. Building a collective approach takes trust and committment. Words that were shared in our closing ranged from: gratitude, fruition, rooted, abundance, connection, home, love, love and more beloved energy. Cups are full and we will look forward to celebrating for many years to come! Thanks to Craig Stevenson for supporting this event and other dynamic projects and to Brooke E Collins for photography Erika Dudley Sonica Ruiz Kim Crutcher xavier colon Small Habits Matter Community Food Navigator Chicago Park District Latino Policy Forum

Thanks to the ABC 7 Chicago team for the coverage of our harvest fest! Thanks to Mykele Callicutt for his voicing the spirit of our celebration?????? in this interview and his role as Programs Ambassador. It was a beautiful and well attended, joy filled event that reflected the passion of UGC, youth and families! https://lnkd.in/gDSFE2yj

Final day of prep before Harvest Fest tomorrow! We are so excited to share all of our efforts with community and our support networks. Special shoutout to the entire Urban Growers Collective family for stepping up this week and getting the South Chicago Farm together for tomorrow’s festivities. All the hard work has paid off and tomorrow will be the best celebration! See you tomorrow everyone! ? Details : https://lnkd.in/gP5vMR8G #farmprep #seasonalfun #harvestfest

Thanks Block Club Chicago ?? For the shout out for our 2nd Annual Harvest Fest!