I'm posting a small article about an urban farm next to Grant Park to give you an idea...
Grant Park "Art on the Farm" Urban Agriculture Potager
Established 2005
Located in Grant Park at the intersection of E. Congress Parkway & S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, IL 60605.
In partnership with the Chicago Park District and Moore Landscapes, Inc., Growing Powe
r created a 20,000 square foot urban farm on Chicago’s lakefront adjacent to Buckingham Fountain and Lincoln Memorial in Grant Park. Over 150 varieties of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers are grown at the urban farm in the heart of downtown Chicago.
r created a 20,000 square foot urban farm on Chicago’s lakefront adjacent to Buckingham Fountain and Lincoln Memorial in Grant Park. Over 150 varieties of heirloom vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers are grown at the urban farm in the heart of downtown Chicago. Our partnership demonstrates that the social benefits of urban agriculture reach beyond local food miles and
food security but also encompass youth economic development and re-establishing biodiversity through
the production of organic vegetables, herbs and other edibles
in a city space.
food security but also encompass youth economic development and re-establishing biodiversity through
the production of organic vegetables, herbs and other edibles
in a city space.
A major focus of the program is job preparedness for young people. Farm interns work together to cultivate, weed, plant and harvest vegetables, herbs, and flowers that are grown in the edible potager garden. Also of great importance is the project’s impact on a city’s policy regarding urban farming. This project seeks to quantify the commercial viability of urban agriculture both in economics and production.
Using farming as a hands-on teaching tool, youth are challenged both mentally and physically, gaining a broad range of experiences from observation and decision-making to physical fitness and culinary appreciation. Interns gain the valuable and unique skill of learning how to produce something, creating a whole host of entrepreneurial opportunities for their futures. In addition to regular farm activities, farm interns experience marketing produce and value-added products at small community farmers' market, building customer service and entrepreneurial skills needed by both farmers and artists.
I like the idea of an urban farm. I just recently saw the urban farm in Bridgeport and was impressed to see community kids working in it. They were collecting some vegetables to bring to their local food pantry. I think kids need to watch things grow like fruits, vegetables and other green stuff. More and more I see landscapers do all the gardening at houses in the 41st.
ReplyDeleteA group of neighbors and I were recently at another block's block party and this very topic came up. Everyone there thought our neighborhood needed attention to every single aspect of infastructure, but also to some of the quality of life amenities we pay such high taxes for, like well kept green spaces. If you go to any of our neighboring suburbs, there are beautiful green areas and community gardens. It makes people proud to live in such communities.
ReplyDeleteWhen I look at my community (Oriole Park), I see less than the basics and to be frank, I'm tired of doling out $7000.00/year in property taxes and getting nothing back.
I grew up in Chicago during the 70s and 80s and the biggest reasons people moved out of the city had to do with the suburbs offering better schools, streets, transportation, parks and streets that looked like main street. None of that here and I am beyond disappointed.
There is a great community garden in the 45th ward maintained by a couple boy scout troops. The veggies are donated to a local food pantry. The space really perks up the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteAmenities? The 41st ward doesn't exist in Chicago
ReplyDeleteSadly, I agree, no one at city hall acknowledges that the 41st ward exists and our property tax money, city fees and the rest are not reinvested back into our neighborhoods.
ReplyDeleteIf a neighborhood wants green spaces, organizations are going to have to step up and fund the projects and provide the volunteers. This is Chicago, the city of corruptive city practices. If you have to live here, like I do, then get used to doing things for yourself. Whenever I hear people call the 41st ward the suburb in the city, I want to slap them. No suburban community would put up with the taxes we pay and get absolutely NOTHING in return.