Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Every Day in May Organic Plant Sale
2019-05-10 10:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | City Grange, 5500 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join  Peterson Garden Project  during the entire month of May for our annual Edible Plant Sale geared toward  urban and small-space  gardeners and offering items you won’t see anywhere else in Chicago.  Buy organic plants, seeds, books, tools, compost, fertilizer, and more —everything you’ll need to get your edible garden growing. When you make a purchase, tell your cashier that you’re with Peterson Garden Project and a portion of your purchase will support our mission to recruit, educate and inspire everyone to grow their own food. Sale runs every day through May 31, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

International Compost Awareness Week is May 5th-11th
2019-05-05 - 2019-05-11 | IL
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) is the largest and most comprehensive education initiative of the compost industry. It is celebrated nationwide and in other countries each year during the first full week of May. Started in Canada in 1995, ICAW has continued to grow as more people, businesses, municipalities, schools and organizations are recognizing the importance of composting and the long-term benefits from organics recycling.

Edible Landscapes Ft. Containers
2019-05-04 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Transform a small space into a beautiful and functional garden. This class will show you the best practices for keeping edible and ornamental plants happy and healthy in your container garden. It includes hands-on work and an informative lecture with plenty of time for questions.
Ashley Luciani, Windy City Harvest coordinator
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

Planning for Pollinators
2019-04-27 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Bees & Beyond thematic programming at the Chicago Botanic Garden inspired Windy City Harvest to offer this special course for gardeners to learn about the pollinators in their backyards and gardening techniques to support them.
Rachel Kimpton, Windy City Harvest coordinator
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

Small Farm Tools
2019-04-13 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
This class is a deep dive into the latest farm tools for creating efficiency and optimal growing in your garden or on the farm. We will discuss how to gauge the perfect timing for seeding your crops plus soil preparation and assessments.
Instructor TBD
Rodeo Farm, 2600 West 26th Street, Chicago

April 7th, 2019 Spring Seed Swap! Presented by the UIC Heritage Garden
2019-04-07 13:00 - 15:00 | IL
What role do seeds play in advancing food sovereignty?
How does community gardening cultivate cultural diversity?
How does gardening heal a community?
Join the UIC Heritage Garden for our Fifth annual Spring Seed Swap! We invite gardeners, organizations, and community members interested in learning more about gardening, environmental sustainability and social justice. Anyone can come share knowledge, stories, and resources with others, and make new friends from around the city.
Admission is free: you do not need to bring seeds to attend. Refreshments will be served.
When: Sunday April 7, 2019 from 1pm-3pm
Where: Jane Addams Hull House Museum. Resident’s Dining Hall, 800 S Halsted St, Chicago IL 6060
If you would like to bring seeds from your garden or organization and need a table to set up your materials (seeds, flyers, etc) please RSVP to heritagegarden.uic@gmail.com by Monday March 25th, 2019. If you need any accommodations, please email us as well.

Workshop: A First Aid Kit For NeighborSpace Gardens - Red Cross Training, Chicago Cares Training
2019-04-06 09:00 - 15:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
A First Aid Kit For NeighborSpace Gardens – Red Cross Training, Chicago Cares Training
NeighborSpace is excited to partner with some new and old friends this year- to bring first aid, extra help, and better communication styles to your community garden efforts. These events are free and intended for current and emerging garden leaders and stakeholders looking to grow their leadership.
When: April 6th, 9 am- 3 pm (lunch break at 1 pm, lunch provided)
What: A First Aid Kit For Gardens – Red Cross Training, Chicago Cares Training
Where: 445 N Sacramento Blvd. (Center for Green Technology)
Description: This day is a two-part training session, with special guest organizations on hand to provide free support and training to NeighborSpace garden and volunteer leaders.
Morning Session, 9am – 1pm: First Aid and CPR Certification -Provided Free by AmeriCorps members, in partnership with the Serve IL Volunteer Commission and the Corporation for National Community Service This programs teaches skills that participants need to know to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and takeover. Two-year certification.
Afternoon Session, 1:30pm – 3:00pm: How to Manage and Recruit Volunteers with Chicago Cares Join us for this information session, where garden leaders will be guided by Chicago Cares staff through a session on how to recruit, retain, and recognize your “day of volunteers.” This session will include how to request help and support through Chicago Cares’ online volunteer referral process as well as best practices in volunteer management that will help you cultivate and engage your volunteers.

MidFex Grafting Workshop: Sunday March 31, 2019, 1pm
2019-03-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
Find out what grafting fruit tress is all about. Learn the the whys and hows with experienced grafters. We will also have an impressive amount of scion wood available for grafting. The purpose of the grafting workshop is to learn how to graft. Nonmember beginners will learn how to graft selected apple varieties on apple rootstock. If you’d like more information about grafting see the Grafting Page on the MidFex website.
THIS SESSION IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and the less experienced or novice grafter.
Please arrive on time. Lecture begins at 1:00 sharp. Workshop will last until about 4:00 pm.
Location: 1000 Lake Cook Road, Glencoe, Illinois. Go to the Linnaeus Room in the Regenstein Center building.
Parking: Parking is free for Chicago Botanic Garden members and members of gardens with reciprocal privileges. If you are not a member of the Botanic Gardens you will have to pay the parking fee. Visit Chicago Botanic Garden’s web pages for details on parking and membership.
More Event Details: THE AFTERNOON EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, but only the individuals actually grafting fruit trees will be allowed in the grafting classroom. Friends, spouses, and children are welcome to explore the grounds during the sessions.
Costs: Our workshop and guidance are free. However you will need to buy rootstock if you want to take home a tree. We will have dwarfing apple rootstock available. Cost is $5 each with free scion wood for MidFEx members. Non-members pricing is $5 which includes two pieces of scion wood of their choice. Unless rootstocks were preordered, each attendee will be limited to three (3) rootstocks each. Grafting requires a very sharp knife with a 2-3 inch blade. Bring your own medium-size pocket knife–we can sharpen it for you if needed, or purchase one at the workshop. Other supplies are available for purchase if you would like to continue honing your grafting skills after the workshop is over.
Maps and directions are HERE.

CCGA 7th Spring Conference
2019-03-30 09:00 - 16:00 | Breakthrough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States

Lecture: 21st Century Design Concepts for 22nd Century Homeowner
2019-03-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 614 East 113th Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Historic Pullman Garden Club 2019 Winter Lecture Series
Join us for free lectures located in Chicago’s Historic Pullman
neighborhood. Sponsored by the Historic Pullman Garden Club and the
Historic Pullman Foundation.
Hosted at the Pullman National Monument Visitor Center, 11141 S Cottage
Grove Chicago IL 60628.
March 24th 3-5pm Terry Guen “21st Century Design Concepts for 22nd Century
Homeowner”

Good Food Expo
2019-03-22 - 2019-03-23 | University of Illinois Chicago, Jane Addams Hull House 800 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
This expo brings together a collection of expert speakers, chefs, farmers, entrepreneurs, investors, buyers, sellers, DIY enthusiasts and consumers who are accelerating the rise of a better food system.

Value Added Workshop: Krauts, Pickles, Kimchi
2019-03-16 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Fermented foods are both healthy and a great way to reduce food waste. Join this hands-on class to learn about different types of fermentation. You will quickly put your new knowledge to action by preparing different fermentations to taste and take home with you.
Instructor TBD
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

NeighborSpace Annual Information Session
2019-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
NeighborSpace Annual Information Session – Helpful Tips For New Community Garden Leaders
When: March 16th, 10 am – 12:00 noon (FREE LUNCH AT NOON)
Where: 445 N Sacramento Blvd. (Center for Green Technology)
Description: Each year, NeighborSpace hosts an important information session for NeighborSpace garden leaders and members. As new gardens join our land trust each year, this is a great opportunity for new garden leaders to get a big picture view of the network you are now a part of. There will be free seeds, free signs, free locks, free lunch, and more. Enjoy fun insights and fruitful conversation about being a NeighborSpace garden, including:
*** the history of NeighborSpace
*** shared rules and responsibilities in the garden
*** setting up fiscal accounts for your garden
*** new tools in the Tool Lending Library
*** information on free delivery days for soil refreshment
*** tips on how to run a better meeting

Cold Season Growing- March, April, May
2019-03-16 09:00 - 15:00 | Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse, 2800 S Western Ave , Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
This is a technical training course for aspiring growers who are interested in learning best-practice season-extension techniques. It will combine classroom and hands-on work to prepare students to get a jump on the spring growing season. It will involve farm work activities in all weather conditions. Students are expected to work indoors and outdoors.
Jerrod Schober, Windy City Harvest coordinator
Arturo Velasquez Institute, 2800 S. Western Avenue, Chicago

Edible Landscape Design and Gardening
2019-03-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
This class is for individuals who are interested in learning and expanding their knowledge of edible landscaping techniques, design, and maintenance. This course is appropriate for growers with some gardening experience. Students will create a four-season planting plan for an existing farm site and will present their planting design as a final project.
Saturdays from March 9th through May 18th, 2019.
Certificate course
Maureen Maitland, The Organic Gardener
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

BILINGUAL - Vegetable Garden Basics
2019-03-02 09:30 - 12:30 | Hayt Elementary School, 1518 W Granville Ave,, Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
Vegetable Gardening Basics
At this workshop you will hear from folks from The Organic Gardener on how to prepare and nourish the soil, what to plant when, and what is best to plant as a seed vs. seedling. Participants will create a vegetable garden layout specific to their school or community garden. Each participant will receive seeds that will get them started on their spring season planting! This workshop will be presented in both English and Spanish.
To Register: English Form | Spanish Form
Please register by February 23; Childcare is available if requested by February 16.
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Lecture: Lagunitas Beer Plants and the Environment
2019-02-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 614 East 113th Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Historic Pullman Garden Club 2019 Winter Lecture Series
Join us for free lectures located in Chicago’s Historic Pullman
neighborhood. Sponsored by the Historic Pullman Garden Club and the
Historic Pullman Foundation.
Hosted at the Pullman National Monument Visitor Center, 11141 S Cottage
Grove Chicago IL 60628.
February 24th 3-5pm Mary Bauer “Lagunitas Beer Plants and the Environment”

Free Workshop Beekeeping 101
2019-02-23 11:30 - 12:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Class Outline

Welcome and Introduction
First Lesson in Beekeeping
Hives and Equipment – What do you Need?
Learning about Bees to Learn about Beekeeping –Biology and Varieties
Inspection – What am I Looking At and Why?
IPM effective strategies for you
Honey

Youth Farm Facilitator Training
2019-02-23 08:30 - 16:00 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Are you interested in learning more about how to work with youth in an urban agriculture or school garden setting? Would you like to know more about structuring a youth development program centered on sustainable agriculture and food systems during the summer or school year? Please join the Windy City Harvest Youth Farm staff for a day of focused learning. We will discuss incorporating standards for social and emotional learning, adultism, managing student behavior, lessons learned, and challenges faced.
The day’s program will include: an overview of our program structure and curriculem, how to foster a safe environment in which students of all abilities can grow, including implementing team building activities, setting shared standards, providing student evaluations and feedback, and celebrating successes!
Saturday, February 23, 2019
LOCATION: Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL, 60623
Contact Kris De la Torre at kdelatorre@chicagobotanic.org

Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala (SSG) Climate Resilience Panel - Global to Local Actions in a Time of a Rapidly Changing Climate.
2019-02-16 14:00 - 17:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Please join us on Saturday, February 16, 2pm – 5pm, at
Where: NeighborSpace 445 N Sacramento Blvd, Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60612
Special Event: Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala (SSG) Climate Resilience Panel – Global to Local Actions in a Time of a Rapidly Changing Climate.
How are other countries coping with climate change? What are actions we can take locally to adapt to the changing conditions our communities face?
Join Sustainable Sharing with Guatemala (SSG) for the unique opportunity to learn firsthand from one of their Guatemalan partners, Veronica Girón, AFOPADI Coordinating Team Leader. Ms. Girón will share her personal field experience of how climate change is affecting the Mayan Mam village in the western highlands of Guatemala and how they are using Climate Resilience Permaculture to strengthen economic ties across villages, and address health, social justice and food security issues. She will reveal the most difficult issue that their organization, AFOPADI, face in their work to encourage communities to adapt to our changing times. The answer may surprise you. www.sustainablesharing.org
Other panel participants and topics will include:
Rebecca Raines, Manager of Outreach and Public Engagement of Center for Neighborhood Technology,Rain Ready program – Harvesting and Conserving Water. www.cnt.org
Jonathan Nieuwsma, President Citizens’ Greener Evanston – Sustainable Energy. www.greenerevanston.org
Annamaria León, Co-Founder Permaculture Chicago Teaching Institute (PCTI) – Edible Forest Gardens. www.permaculturechicago.com
Bring a snack to share during the social portion.

Sponsored by NeighborSpace

Register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climate-resilience-permaculture-panel-tickets-54608347036?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

The Naturally Beautiful Garden Conference
2019-02-16 12:00 - 17:00 | Triton College, 2000 5th Avenue, River Grove, IL, 60171, United States
The Naturally Beautiful Garden Conference
Featuring Visionary Landscape Architect Claudia West and Award-Winning Garden Designer Ben Vogt
February 16, 2019, Noon-5pm
Presented by: West Cook Wild Ones
Hosted by:
Triton College Sustainability Center
at the Performing Arts Center • R Building
2000 Fifth Ave • River Grove, IL

Download (PDF, 1.76MB)

Crop Planning with Windy City Harvest
2019-02-16 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
This workshop covers site analysis, vegetable garden plan components, space saving techniques and spacing, cool- and warm-season crops, crop and variety selection, three-season and succession planning. There will be crop plan examples and a template for you to start your own crop plan. Bring a drawing of your farm site with dimensions.
Melanie Bromberek, Windy City Harvest coordinator
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

Starting Your Food Business
2019-02-16 10:30 - 16:30 | Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Food Safety and Cottage Food Laws
This course is intended for aspiring food entrepreneurs and/or urban farmers who are hoping to create or expand their farm or local food business by providing seasonal, local food products all year long. We will cultivate an understanding of the basic techniques, food safety regulations, and business guidelines for producing value-added, local foods.
Zina Murray, The Logan Square Kitchen
Farm on Ogden, 3555 Ogden Avenue, Chicago

CCGA Conference Planning/Coordinating Meeting
2019-02-13 18:30 - 20:00 | The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The next CCGA Coordinating Meeting is Wednesday February 13th at 6:30pm at The Hatchery, 135 N. Kedzie Ave Chicago, IL 60612. There is on-site parking and the CTA Green Line stops right outside the building.
The main item agenda is continued planning for our 2019 conference.
As always try and bring a snack or drink to share if you can.
NOTE: All CCGA coordinating meeting minutes are available for you to review on the website. Look under the menu tree at ‘Who We Are’ and then ‘CCGA Organization’ and you will see links here for the coordinating committee documents.

AUA's Urban Livestock Expo
2019-02-09 11:00 - 15:00 | Southside Occupational Academy High School, 7342 S Hoyne Ave., Chicago, IL, 60636, United States
Redefining what a ‘live’ event is, the Urban Livestock Expo returns with
FREE, fun, family-friendly workshops on raising bees, goats, chickens,
ducks, quail and more in your yard!
Workshops will cover daily care, ideal breeds, how to troubleshoot common
problems, and professionals’ tips for being a good neighbor with animals in
the city. Also get a chance to explore the amazing urban agriculture
programs at our host site, Southside Occupational Academy!
Spanish interpretation provided and all skill and experience levels
welcome, from the experienced to the curious. Additionally, area urban
livestock groups and businesses will staff resource tables with information
on further learning opportunities, support networks, sources of supplies,
equipment, and more.
Further details on our Facebook event at bit.ly/UrbanLivestockExpo2019 and
to follow.

Bilingual Organizing your Garden Team Workshop
2019-02-09 09:30 - 12:30 | Orozco Community Academy, 1940 W. 18th Street, Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
An enthusiastic, committed Garden Team is crucial to the long success of a school or community garden. Come out and hear from other schools on how to create and sustain a successful Garden Team. This workshop will be presented in both English and Spanish. Childcare is available if requested by January 26. Please register by February 2.
Register here:
In English: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-VjXD5COJsPTdziq_H8RVAt9_rGKVbOykY_XXgAdc8u26kQ/viewform
In Spanish: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewc5WmwND5ycXs1GdG-hZ99BbALjYgFwGWTf8G-_yCKDhKPQ/viewform

Fermentation Workshop with Jeanne Calabrese
2019-02-02 10:00 - 11:30 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Please join Jeanne Calabrese at this workshop presented by CCGA Education Committee. Open to everyone interested in learning about fermentation, this event is open to all; however, this hands-on worskhop is limited to 15 registerants, so don’t miss the sign up.
The process of fermenting foods– to preserve them and make them more digestible and nutritious– is as old as humanity. Fermentation is an artisanal process by nature; the practice of fermentation is a partnership with microscopic life which has been practiced throughout the world. Anyone can do it anywhere with the most basic tools.

Free event: Seed Swap 1/26 11am-1pm at The Morton Arboretum
2019-01-26 09:00 - 15:00 | The Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL, 60532
The Morton Arboretum is holding its third annual seed swap on January 26th from 11am to 1pm at Thornhill Education Center.
The event is free with paid admission to the Arboretum.
Additional seed-saving and seed-starting classes will be offered before and after the event:
Seed Saving Workshop, 9-11am
Seed Starting for the Edible Garden, 1-3pm
And finally, this year’s Edible Gardening Workshop Series includes speakers William Moss and Melinda Myers among others. The series begins March 16th and admission to the Arboretum is free for registered attendees. Come for the morning class, and enjoy the grounds for the rest of the day.

CCGA Coordinating Meeting - Thursday January 24, 2019 at 6:30pm
2019-01-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
CCGA Coordinating Meeting – Thursday January 24, 2019
At 6:30pm at CCGT.

2019 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference and Trade Show
2019-01-09 - 2019-01-11 | Crowne Plaza, 160 E Huron, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
The 2019 Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference and Trade Show is scheduled for Jan. 9-11, 2019, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Springfield, Illinois.The Illinois Specialty Crops, Agritourism, and Organic Conference (ISCAOC) will be held January 9-11, 2019. The conference, which features nearly 100 speakers and 60 trade show exhibitors, will again host four concurrent preconference workshops, general sessions, and breakout sessions aimed at helping Illinois specialty growers cultivate their operations. Find details in the flyer posted here.
The 30th annual Apple Cider Contest and 17th annual Hard Cider Contest will again be held in conjunction with the conference, with winners being announced during Thursday evening’s banquet.
To receive registration materials or to obtain exhibitor information, please contact Charlene Blary at 309-557-2107 or cblary@ilfb.org. Conference registration will be offered online. A detailed conference agenda, registration, and cider contest information can be viewed at specialtygrowers.org.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at a rate of $101 per night. Please call the hotel directly at 217-529-7777.
