Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Master Urban Farmer Training Program Spring/Summer Session 2017
2017-05-10 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | the Children’s Farm at The Center, 12700 S. Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL, 60464, United States
The University of Illinois Extension has just announced an Urban Ag training program being held on 12 consecutive Wednesdays from May 10th through July 26th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Location: the Children’s Farm at The Center, 12700 S. Southwest Highway, Palos Park, IL.
Intended for Entrepreneurs who want to start an urban produce farm operation, Community members in underserved/food insecure communities who want to increase food security and/or establish a community food system project in their neighborhood, Educators who want to bring food production knowledge back to their organization; and new growers interested in more intensive training programs.
Class size is limited to 25 participants in an effort to engage individual participants at greater level. There will be “eyes on” and “hands on” opportunities to incorporate concepts learned during the modules:

Site Selection Issues
Intro to Soils, Testing, Analysis, and Corrections
Composting
Vegetable Production Systems, Planning, and Scheduling
Transplant Production
Season Extension
Insects, Diseases, Weed Management
Integrated Pest Management
Tools, Equipment, and Irrigation
How to Choose a Farm Enterprise
Business Planning, Financial Statements, and Marketing for your Urban Agriculture Project
Bees & Native Pollinators
Food Safety , GAP’s, and Post-Harvest Handling
Keeping it Legal
Fruit Production
Grant Programs and other farm programs/resources

For more information visit: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cook/muft/
UIC Extension Logo
For questions please contact Sarah Batka, Extension Program Coordinator at University of Illinois Extension at sbatka@illinois.edu.

CCGA Annual Spring Vegetable & Flower Distribution - Saturday, May 6
2017-05-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Community gardeners, please join us Saturday, May 6 for our Annual Spring Vegetable and Flower Seedling Distribution!
When: May 6 @ 10:00am
Where: Center for Green Technology @ 445 N. Sacramento in Chicago
Cost: $5 per garden
Please register in advance with Mamie at mamie@uic.edu by sending her your name, the name of your community garden, and your garden address.
Questions? Please email Mamie.
Helpful tip: please bring a couple of boxes for carrying your plants!
For more details, go to http://chicagocommunitygardens.org/2017/04/26/ccga-annual-spri…urday-may-6-10am/

Next CCGA Coordinating Meeting – Tuesday April 25th, 6:30pm at CCGT
2017-04-25 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The next CCGA Coordinating Meeting is Tuesday April 25th at 6:30pm at the Chicago Center for Green Technology CCGT at 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. and will be our final planning meeting before our Membership retreat and we will review the recent annual conference.
We’ll meet on the 2nd floor and there is parking behind the building. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can.
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.
Hope to see you there!

Lecture: Gardens for Small Spaces
2017-04-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Montrose Metra Community Garden – Green & Growing Speaker Series
Presented by Montrose Metra Community Gardens, the Ravenswood Manor Garden Club and Chicago Public Library
At The Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue Chicago IL 60625
Monday, April 17 at 7pm
Gardens for Small Spaces
Speaker: Joan Murray, Master Gardener
All Events are free to attend.
RSVP at facebook.com/montrosemetragardens or email montrosemetragardens@gmail.com for more information.

Download (PDF, 92KB)

2017 Spring Annuals Distribution
2017-04-08 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Download (PDF, 202KB)

Midwest Fruit Explorers (MidFEx) Tree Grafting Workshop
2017-03-26 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
See our full site post HERE.

5th CCGA Conference - Saturday March 25th
2017-03-25 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Breakthrough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
When:
Saturday, March 25, 2017 from 9am-2pm
Location:
Breakthough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Workshops • Panel Discussion • Exhibitors • Seed Distribution
Idea Sharing • Continental Breakfast • Delicious Lunch
Door Prizes • Community Building
Workshops, including:
Season Extension for Community Gardens • Tips for Growing Natural, Vibrant Gardens
• Community Gardens as Organizing Hubs • Basic Vegetable Gardening
The Growing Classroom • Compost Magic • How to Plan Your Raised Vegetable Bed
Space is limited! Please register HERE
Registration fee:
$20 per person payable online or on-site.
We’re building a slideshow of community gardens to be displayed at the event and on our
Facebook page and we’d love to include your photos. Help us by sending your favorite garden photos, maybe a brief description, and the garden name to: photos@chicagocommunitygardens.org.

Downloadable flier below. Help spread the news!

Download (PDF, 428KB)

Lecture: In the Garden: What’s New, What’s Old and What Works
2017-03-20 07:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Montrose Metra Community Garden – Green & Growing Speaker Series
Presented by Montrose Metra Community Gardens, the Ravenswood Manor Garden Club and Chicago Public Library
At The Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Avenue Chicago IL 60625
Monday, March 20 at 7pm
In the Garden: What’s New, What’s Old and What Works
Speaker: Jennifer Paravola & Janella
Sykes of Farmer’s Market Garden Center
All Events are free to attend.
RSVP at facebook.com/montrosemetragardens or email montrosemetragardens@gmail.com for more information.

Download (PDF, 92KB)

CCGA Coordinating Meeting – Saturday March 18, 10am at CCGT
2017-03-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The next CCGA Coordinating Meeting is Saturday March 18th at 10am at the Chicago Center for Green Technology CCGT at 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. and will be our final planning meeting before the 2017 Annual Conference.
We’ll meet on the 2nd floor and there is parking behind the building. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can.
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.
Hope to see you there!

Forest Park Community Garden Seed Swap
2017-03-11 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Curacao) | St. John’s Church, 305 Circle Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130, United States
Join us for the 7th Annual Forest Park Community Garden Seed Swap!

Saturday March 11th 2-4PM
St. John’s Church
305 Circle Ave. – Forest Park

RSVP and more info at: www.forestparkgrows.eventbrite.com

The swap is free, as long as you RSVP in advance, or $2 at the door. Mike Nowak’s presentation will start at 2:15pm and the swap will begin at 3pm.

Special Guest: Mike Nowak!
We are so pleased to announce that garden writer and radio host, Mike Nowak, will be joining us again this year. Mike will present his seminar “Everything You Know About Gardening is Wrong: Myths, Misinformation and Well-meant, But Inaccurate Advice From Mom, the Intertubes and Beyond.”

CCGA Seed Starting Workshop
2017-03-04 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
CCGA Resources Committee
Presents
A New Event for 2017!
“Begin the Garden Season with a Seed Starting Workshop”
Including: a Starter Kit and Vegetable Seeds for Your Community Garden.
We are putting together “starter kits” of twenty different kinds of 2017 vegetable seeds* carefully chosen and purchased by the Resources Committee from reputable companies like Johnny’s Seeds. The Starter Kit also includes a booklet of directions, seed starting tray, and seed starting mix.
Nick Michaud of Westover Farms, an experienced horticulturalist, will talk about seed starting and give recommendations on growing each of the different vegetables included in the kit followed by a Q & A session. Additionally, participants will receive an array of donated seeds suitably qualifiedfor Chicago Community Gardens.
This workshop is open to Chicago Community Gardeners
(Your garden must be open and accessible to the public)
Saturday, March 4, 2017- 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The Center for Green Technology
445 N. Sacramento
Registration: FREE
Thanks to the great participation of Chicago Community Gardeners in last year’s events!
We thank you, and as always the Resources Committee is committed to spending the money we
receive from you on helpful materials for your gardens.
Please email Mamie Gray at mamie@uic.edu (your name, name and address of your garden)ASAP as space is limited. (For quick questions, call 708-990-7939.)
*the Starter Kits include seeds for: spinach, sugar snap peas, zucchini, eggplant (2 types), beets, tomatoes (4 types),
peppers (2 types), cucumbers, kale (2 types), lettuce (3 types), snap beans, bush beans, pole beans, Swiss chard,
radishes, fennel, and a “Bee and Butterfly flower mix.” One kit per garden.
Thank you to NeighborSpace for your help and support.

African Heritage Gaden - North Lawndale Pruning Workday
2017-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | African Heritage Garden, 1245 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us as we kick off another growing season in the garden! The North Lawndale Greening Committee in partnership with Openlands and NeighborSpace, will be hosting a Pruning Workday at the African Heritage Garden.

Volunteers will have an opportunity to brush up on pruning basics with guidance led by Openlands’ Forestry Crew Leader Julie Larsen
Learn about the rich history of the garden and surrounding neighborhood
Become a member of the North Lawndale Greening Committee
Additional Pruning tools, gloves and other gardening items will be provided.
Celebrate a founding garden leader’s birthday, Blanche Suggs Killingsworth
Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the morning.

Cost: Free to all community members!
RSVP HERE or email us at stewardship@neighbor-space.org.

Download (PDF, 199KB)

Urban Livestock Expo
2017-02-18 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th St., Chicago, IL, 60655, United States
Ever considered how to keep bees, goats, chickens, ducks or quails in your backyard? Join AUA’s winter gathering for free, fun workshops on daily care, ideal breeds, how to troubleshoot common problems, and professionals’ tips for being a good neighbor with animals in the city!
All levels of expertise and interest welcome, from the experienced to the curious! Mark your calendar for Saturday, Feb. 18th at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th St. Chicago, from 10:00AM to 1:00PM. In addition to these great workshops, students will guide us on behind-the-scenes tours of their livestock barn and aquaponics center!
Area urban livestock groups and businesses will also staff resource tables with information on further learning opportunities, support networks, sources of supplies and equipment, and more.
To power all that learning, we’ll have tasty local food and beverage vendors with us as well! Don’t miss this fun opportunity to expand your knowledge, connect with other practitioners, and get close to a goat. Spread the word to your networks with our Facebook event page, send questions to info@auachicago.org, and see you then!

CCGA Coordinating Meeting – Saturday February 18, 10am at CCGT
2017-02-18 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The next CCGA Coordinating Meeting is Saturday February 18th at 10am at the Chicago Center for Green Technology CCGT at 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. and will be focused on continued planning for the 2017 Annual Conference.
We’ll meet on the 2nd floor and there is parking behind the building. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can.
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.
Hope to see you there!

CCGA Education Committee Meeting
2017-02-17 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Richard M. Daley Public Library, 733 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Join us! The Education Committee will meet on Friday, February 17th at 10am at the Richard M. Daley Branch Library in Humboldt Park at 733 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60612. Parking is available, and it is accessible via the CTA Bus #52 and #66 (Chicago and Kedzie Stop).

The Naturally Beautiful Garden Conference
2017-02-11 12:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Triton College, 2000 5th Avenue, River Grove, IL, 60171, United States
The Naturally Beautiful Garden Conference
12:00-5:30 p.m. on February 11, 2017
Triton College, River Grove, IL
Get practical advice on creating stunning home gardens using layers found in native ecosystems. These layers support life: soil organisms, insects, birds and more.
Landscape architect Rick Darke, co-author with Douglas Tallamy of The Living Landscape, and Heather Holm, author of Pollinators of Native Plants, will lead a half-day conference on how to design home landscapes that not only look beautiful but also support the surrounding regional ecosystem. The conference is hosted by the West Cook chapter of Wild Ones, a national native plant organization.
First, Darke will lead the audience in an entertaining discussion of a wild landscape’s layers (ground, forbs, grasses, shrubs, small trees, large trees), and how we can use them in eye-catching, beautiful ways. Next, he will give advice on easy ways to maintain a native home landscape. Then, Holm will describe the habitat and food needs of birds, bees and pollinators, and recommend specific native trees and shrubs that support their life cycles.
Learn more: https://westcookwildonesconference.eventbrite.com. This conference is made possible by West Cook Wild Ones members, our plant sale, and PlanItGreen, Oak Park and River Forest’s Sustainability Plan. Triton College Sustainability Center will host the conference.

Download (PDF, 6.75MB)

Building Garden Communities with Christopher Weber
2017-01-22 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Hotel Florence (Historic Pullman), 11111 S Forrestville Ave, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Please join the Historic Pullman Garden Club, the Pullman State Historic Site and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency for the first presentation in the garden club’s 2017 Winter Lecture Series:

“Building Garden Communities”

Thoughts on how to do it and why it’s as important as the plants, with Christopher Weber, an environmental organizer and freelance journalist.

Sunday January 22, 2017, at 2 pm in the historic Hotel Florence, 11111 S Forrestville Ave, Chicago IL 60628.

This FREE event is open to everyone, refreshments will be served and there will be door prizes. The Pullman Historic District can be reached by taking the 111th Street exit west off of I-94 or via the Metra Electric Train Line, exiting on the 111th St/Pullman stop.

Hope to see you there!

For questions, email historicpullmangardens@gmail.com or call 773-568-4669.

CCGA Coordinating Meeting - Saturday January 21st 10am
2017-01-21 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Breakthrough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
The next CCGA Coordinating Meeting is Saturday January 21 at 10am at the Breakthrough FamilyPlex.
Lawndale Christian Health Center – Breakthough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624
Please join for our next coordinating meeting at the Breakthrough FamilyPlex, 3219 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60624. This is the site of the 2017 Annual Conference. The meeting agenda will include CCGA committee reports and continued planning for the 2017 Annual Conference.
Please note that due to construction, people arriving by car should take Homan to the alley just between Carroll and Fulton and follow it east to the end, then turn left on Carroll to reach the parking lot. Additional parking is available in a lot down the block by continuing left on Carroll. The FamilyPlex is accessible by public transportation via the CTA Green Line to Kedzie, then walk north to Carroll.

8th Annual KAM Isaiah Israel MLK Food Justice & Sustainability Weekend
2017-01-13 19:30 - 2017-01-15 21:00 (America/Chicago)
KAM Isaiah Israel’s Food Justice and Sustainability Committee presents the 8th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend. The focus this year is Climate Change and Water. The weekend long education and advocacy program includes a keynote address on climate change and a resilient food system, workshops on topics ranging from lead contamination in urban water, to soil carbon sequestration and improved food production, to irrigation management and rain fall mitigation structures. The weekend also features an extended workshop at which a three acre urban food forest will be designed for the roof of a big box store. The goal of the weekend is to provide participants with powerful tools for change and a heightened motivation to work toward a greener, more equitable and sustainable world.

Where KAM Isaiah Israel
1100 East Hyde Park Boulevard, Chicago
When Friday, January 13, 2017 at 7:30 PM
Shabbat Service with keynote address by Karen Lehman,
Director, Fresh Taste: Earth, We’ve Got You Covered:
Food System Resilience in the Context of Climate Change.
Saturday, January 14 at 4:30 PM
Community Design Workshop: An Urban Food Forest
Case Study, a Big Box Store. A complimentary reception
will follow at 6:30 PM.
Sunday, January 15, 10:00 AM – 2:45 PM
Workshops at 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.
Complimentary lunch is served at noon.
ALL EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For a complete list of workshops and to register: www.kamii.org/MLK or call 773.924.1234

CCGA Education Committee Meeting
2017-01-10 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Logan Square Library, 3030 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647, United States
Join us! The Education Committee will meet on January 10 from 4-6 pm at the Logan Square Library at 3030 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. Parking is available, and it is accessible on the CTA blue line.

CCGA Membership Committee Meeting
2017-01-10 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Logan Square Library, 3030 W. Fullerton Ave., Chicago, IL, 60647, United States
Join us! The Membership Committee will meet Tuesday, January 10 from 2-4 pm at the Logan Square Library at 3030 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60647. Parking is available, and it is accessible on the CTA blue line.

AUA New Years Resolutions Party 1/7/17
2017-01-07 15:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Join us aJoin AUA as we start the new year right – our resolutions are to grow sustainable urban agriculture and its community in our city! Here’s a great way to kick off a big year – a gathering of Chicago’s Advocates for Urban Agriculture at one of Chicago’s newest (and most delicious!) sustainable businesses, Whiner Beer Company, on Saturday, January 7th, 3pm-6pm.
See the full post here.

CCGA Resources Committee Meeting
2017-01-07 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Green tomato cafe – meeting place, 3750 W. Ogden Ave., Chicago, IL, United States
Join us! The Resources Committee will meet on January 7 at 10am at the Green Tomato Cafe at 3750 W. Ogden, Chicago, IL 60623. Parking is available, and it is accessible via the CTA Pink Line.

Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium
2017-01-05
Illiana Vegetable Growers Symposium
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Teibel’s Family Restaurant, US 30 and US 41, Schererville, Indiana
Sessions Include:
Pollinators: Where are We After 2016?
Management of Powdery Mildew & Other Important Diseases of Cucurbits
Mineral Nutrition for Vegetable Crops
Updated Worker Protection Standards
Food Safety Regulation Update & Washing Systems for Small Operations
How Can Farm Profiles Help You Plan?
Modern Transplant Production in the Greenhouse
Successful Pest Management in Organic Vegetable Production
Bio-Char: Does it Work?
Student & Mentoring Programs on VegetableFarms
Is Hydroponics Really That Easy?
Starting a Hydroponic Enterprise & Identifying Markets
Advance registration is $30 per person.
Participants may register online at (www.edustore.purdue.edu) before Dec. 22.
To register by mail, send a completed registration form (https://ag.purdue.edu/hla/Extension/Documents/2017IVGSRegBrochureFinalFillable.pdf) with payment postmarked by Dec. 16.
On-site registrations will be accepted at $35 per person, but the famous Teibel’s fried chicken luncheon cannot be guaranteed.
For more information, contact Nikky Witkowski at Purdue Extension-Lake County: (219) 755-3240 or nikky@purdue.eduor Liz Maynard at Purdue University: (219) 548-3674 or emaynard@purdue.edu.

Community Christmas Caroling / Comunidad de Vilancicos de Navidad
2016-12-17 16:30 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Children’s Garden of Hope, Karlov & Potomac, Chicago , IL, United States
Third Annual Community Christmas Caroling / Tercera Comunidad Anual de Vilancicos de Navidad
All are welcome at this event of caroling by the bonfire. Hot chocolate will be provided!
Todos son bienvenidos a este evento de villancios por la hoguera. ¡Chocolate calienta será proporcianado!

Holiday Houseplant Sale
2016-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The Resources Committee has grown lots of houseplants that gardeners will enjoy. Come see our selection: little chartreuse Monterey cypress trees, unusual begonias, striking succulents, dracaenas, starry flower euphorbias, and good “air cleaner” plants like spathiphyllum (peace lilies) and asparagus ferns. Pick up a little coleus or scented geranium to grow for your garden next spring and summer. Give yourself or someone a nice holiday gift!
When:
Saturday, December 10, 2016
10:00 am to 12:00 pm or until the plants are gone
Where:
Center for Green Technology
445 N Sacramento Boulevard, Chicago
Who:
Open to all CCGA-ers and their friends
Priced to sell!
RSVP & Questions?
Contact mamie@uic.edu to RSVP and with any questions

CCGA Coordinating Meeting – Saturday December 10th 2016 at 10:00am at CCGT Offices
2016-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Please join us at 10:00am Saturday December 10th at the Chicago Center for Green Technology at 445 N. Sacramento Blvd. The meeting agenda includes: CCGA Working Team reports and preliminary work-shop planning for the 2017 CCGA Annual Conference. We’ll meet on the 2nd floor and there is parking behind the building. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can. See you there!

CCGA Education Committee - Saturday December 10 at 9:00am at CCGT Offices
2016-12-10 09:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Please join us:
CCGA Education Committee
Saturday, December 10th, 2016
9:00am to 10:00am
Chicago Center for Green Technology
445 N. Sacramento Blvd
Chicago, IL 60612
see you there!

CCGA Membership Committee - Monday December 5 at 2pm at Breakthrough FamilyPlex
2016-12-05 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Breakthrough Ministries Familyplex, 3219 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
Please join us:
CCGA Membership Committee
Monday, December 5th, 2016
2:00pm to 3:00pm
Breakthrough FamilyPlex
3219 W. Carroll
Chicago, IL 60624
see you there!

CCGA Finance Committee - Monday December 5 at 12pm at Breakthrough FamilyPlex
2016-12-05 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Breakthrough Ministries Familyplex, 3219 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
Please join us:
CCGA Finance Committee
Monday, December 5th, 2016
12:00pm to 2:00pm
Breakthrough FamilyPlex
3219 W. Carroll
Chicago, IL 60624
Agenda:

We are again requesting budgets from each committee for 2017
Any needs you may have for the conference
Suggestions for the fiscal agent agreement or/and a template for the terms of the agreement
Also I would like to discuss letter for sponsorship for the conference

see you there!
