Chicago Community Gardeners Association

6th Annual Peterson Garden Project Seed Swap
2015-03-01 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Whether you saved seeds from plants grown in your garden, have leftover new or used seed packets, or are looking for seeds, the 6th Annual Peterson Garden Project Seed Swap in the place to be! You never know what you will find – gardeners are generous people, after all. Reconnect with old friends and meet new ones as we all get excited about growing together in 2015!
We’ll have seeds to give away from companies like Botanical Interests Seed Packets, Renee’s Garden Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, as well as items for sale, like our Fearless Food Gardening Book and gear from The Seed Keeper Company
Interested in getting involved with our Seed Saving Garden, where we grow out seeds for planting in our Grow2Give beds? We’re looking for people with all levels of gardening and seed saving experience. Check out the FAQ and sign up sheet at the swap!
After the swap, join us in the auditorium for a film screening of Seeds of Time.
This event is free, but please register if you would like to reserve your seat at the film screening.
#SeedSwapDay

CCGA Logo Design Contest: Submission Deadline
2015-03-01
EXTENDED — New Submission Deadline: March 1, 2015
Exhibition & Voting: March 5-10, 2015
Attention all local artists and designers! Lend your skills to develop a stellar logo for the newest resource for Chicago’s community gardeners: the CCGA! Submit your design to be displayed at the CCGA’s 2015 Annual Conference. CCGA members will vote on the designs at the meeting and via social media. The design with the most votes on March 10 will become our new logo. The artist of the winning logo will be awarded with a Lifetime CCGA Membership. Join us!
Your application must include the three following elements:

Logo Design
Artist Statement
Copyright Agreement

Send these three files to Amy at logo@chicagocommunitygardens.org no later than February 16th. Guidelines for these files are described below.
Questions? Email Amy at logo@chicagocommunitygardens.org or call her at 312-925-2148.

Logo
Logo Requirements – printable version
Requirements:

Include the acronym CCGA and the full name “Chicago Community Gardeners Association”. These elements should work together and also function independently.
Reflect the idea that CCGA members live and garden in all areas of the city. We celebrate the diversity of Chicago’s gardening projects.
Provide your design as vector artwork (.AI or .EPS format)

Artist Statement
Artist Statement Requirements – printable version
Requirements:

Formatted for a single sheet of 8.5″x11″ paper, with 1” margins on the top and sides and a 1.5” margin on the bottom
Title – 24 pt font
Artist’s Name – 12 pt font
If desired, include contact information: web site and email (please do not include personal address or phone number) – 12 pt font
Statement should be 375 words maximum – 12 pt font
Save in PDF format
Use natural language – write as you would talk!

Suggestions for content:

Your philosophy and approach to working
Your technique
Meaning of your design
Symbols, metaphors, analogies
Themes and underlying messages
Life experiences and influences on your work

Copyright Agreement
Sign, scan, and return this form.

Edible Landscape Redesign Project at The Plant
2015-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | The Plant, 1400 W. 46th Street, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Join us at the volunteer kickoff meeting for creating an Edible Landscape garden at The Plant. This will be a demonstration garden including signage and more information on the web. This project will promote converting a front lawn, any area, to an edible landscape. REGISTER HERE
The is part of the Chicago Demonstration Gardens project. This is a collaborative effort by groups in Back of the Yards and Woodlawn to create various types of demonstration gardens. Types of gardens will include high-impact, low-maintenance flowerbeds, native plant species, pollinator habitats and edible landscapes. We need experienced gardeners to help with consulting on these project. Even if you are not nearby these locations, we would welcome your assistance to select appropriate plants, etc. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Bill Morrisett, morrisett@midwestcyber.com.

Windy City Harvest: Seed Starting for Edibles
2015-02-28 09:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL, 60022, United States
Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse
Rosario Maldonado, Apprenticeship & Corps Sales Coordinator
$39
In this workshop, we’ll cover seed starting dates for edibles, container format options, organic soil mixes, how to create ideal conditions and trouble shoot. You will learn different techniques for starting your own vegetable transplants as well as how to use our favorite, the soil-block maker, a sustainable method for starting seeds. You will leave this workshop with 12 soil blocks you make of a green of your choice – chard, collards or kale. Bring a shoe box or tray to carry your starts home in!

Learn More about the Community Roots Demonstration Garden
2015-02-25 06:30 - 20:30 | Skinner West Elementary School, 1260 West Adams Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, United States
Please join us to learn more about plans for a combination community/demonstration garden in Skinner Park, and to meet other people interested in growing food together.
The Community Roots Demonstration Garden, planned to be built this spring in Skinner Park, will be an outdoor classroom space that will provide Chicagoans of all ages greater access to gardening education. Designed for both kids and families who want to learn more about growing their own food, the site will be able to host a range of workshops highlighting native species, pollinating plants, composting, rainwater harvesting, season extending techniques, and a variety of other topics that help inform and excite both seasoned and novice gardeners. The outdoor classroom will serve as a central hub for Chicago Park District-sponsored garden education, as well as opening itself to garden groups and educators to host their own workshops and events.
Overall, this project was proposed as a way of highlighting the incredible diversity of experiences that gardening has to offer – in both growing methods and in community & youth engagement techniques. While focusing in large part on growing fresh produce, the garden also plans to feature fruit trees and berries, native plantings and digging beds. Further, a variety of styles of raised beds and planters will be featured, and different areas of the garden will serve to teach visitors about a variety of topics from healing and sensory plants to companion planting, rainwater harvesting, insects, and more.
Half of the garden space will be dedicated to community gardening, and the remaining half for teaching and learning – with the hopes that excess produce on the “demonstration side” will be donated to a local food pantry or organization in need.

The Underground Railroad – The Chicago Calumet Connection
2015-02-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 614 East 113th Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Looking to shake your winter blues?
Join the Historic Pullman Garden Club and the Historic Pullman Foundation for:
“The Underground Railroad – The Chicago Calumet Connection”
A presentation by historian Paul Petraitis
This free event is open to everyone and refreshments will be served.
Hope to see you there!

Weather Resilience Workshop: Garfield Park
2015-02-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory Community Room, 300 N. Central Park, Chicago, IL, United States
The City of Chicago is hosting a series of neighborhood workshops to address the region’s resilience to incidents of extreme weather, especially rainstorms that cause floods and related damage. The purpose of the workshops is to identify techniques and infrastructure improvements that foster sustainability and reduce damage to private and public property. Please attend to share ideas and concerns about the sustainability of your home, business, and neighborhood. Free to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
Meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 9 Austin Town Hall Park 5610 W. Lake St.
Tuesday, Feb. 10 North Lawndale Homan Sq. Park 3517 W. Arthington
Wednesday, Feb. 11 Humboldt Park Humboldt Park 1400 N. Sacramento
Tuesday, Feb. 17 Little Village St. Agnes of Bohemia Bishop Manz Hall 2658 S. Central Park
Wednesday, Feb. 18 Garfield Park Conservatory Community Room 300 N. Central Park

Weather Resilience Workshop: Little Village
2015-02-17 18:00 - 20:00 | St. Agnes of Bohemia Bishop Manz Hall, 2658 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, United States

3rd Annual Urban Livestock Expo
2015-02-14 09:30 | Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W 111th Street, Chicago, IL, 60655, United States
In search of a fun and informative Valentine’s Day excursion? What says “I love ewe” better than taking your date to the third annual Urban Livestock Expo? Angelic Organics Learning Center, Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA), and the Chicagoland Chicken Enthusiasts will present the 3rd Annual Urban Livestock Expo on February 14.
The Expo offers new and experienced keepers of urban livestock the chance to learn about caring for a variety of animals, and to network with each other. Presenters with expertise raising chickens, ducks, quails, rabbits, bees, and goats will introduce visitors to primary needs of each, highlighting issues to consider and steps to take in preparation for keeping livestock in the city.
FREE! All are welcome
EXPO SCHEDULE
9:30AM-10:00AM
Registration
10:00AM-12:30PM
-Info sessions on chickens, rabbits, quails, ducks, goats, & bees
-Tours of Barn & Aquaponics Center
12:30PM-1:00PM
Browse Info Tables

Weather Resilience Workshop: Humboldt Park
2015-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Humboldt Park, 1400 N. Sacramento, Chicago, IL, United States

Weather Resilience Workshop: North Lawndale
2015-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Homan Square Park, 3517 W Arthington, Chicago, IL, United States

Weather Resilience Workshop: Austin
2015-02-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL, United States

St. John Garden Club - Spring Forward 2016 - Pre-Sale Discount
2015-01-31
PRESALE DISCOUNT ENDS 1-31-15
Looking for support for an event we are offering in March 2016. Spring Forward 2016 is an event to support the gardening community. As a very small niche garden club we have been able to gain support from two speakers who will be at this event. Joe Lamp’l Growing a Greener World and Roger Swain of PBS The Victory Garden will both speak offer a q&a sessions and includes a menu dinner served by our host. Pre-sale tickets are $30 per ticket and we also offer sponsor ticket packages.

6th annual MLK Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend
2015-01-16 19:30 - 2015-01-18 14:45
KAM Isaiah Israel’s Social Justice Committee presents the 6th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Justice and Sustainability Weekend. The focus this year is ‘Climate Change and Civil Rights.’ The weekend long education and advocacy event will include workshops on social justice, food and environmental justice, conservation and restoration. 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.
Schedule

Friday, January 16 at 7:30 p.m. Shabbat service followed by keynote address by Robert Nevel, KAMII president and founder of its award winning, nationally recognized Food Justice and Sustainability Program.
Saturday, January 17 at 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Community design workshop, reception to follow.
Sunday, January 18 at 10 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. Workshops at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Complimentary lunch is served at noon.

ALL EVENTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Please register at kamii.org/MLK.

Opening Reception - 625 AT 6:25 SUSTENANCE: CHICAGO AND THE FOOD CHAIN
2015-01-14 08:00 - 17:00
In Sustenance: Chicago and the Food Chain, photographers Amanda Rivkin and Heriberto T Quiroz document the realities of food access in Chicago through the eyes of children at home, school, and in their communities. The installation will be framed with a discussion of where Chicago sits in the world of global agriculture and the way in which innovative programs around the city are working to expand children’s relationships with nutrition and the complex economics of food production.
January 14th – February 28th
625 N. Kingsbury St. Chicago, IL
625 Studio Gallery exhibitions are open during the week by appointment and on Saturdays 1:00 – 5:00 PM
contact us: info@artworksprojects.org
Opening reception with comments by the photographers and WBEZ’s Monica Eng
6:25 PM
January 14th, 2015
Let us know you are coming! RSVP@artworksprojects.org
About 625 AT 6:25
625 AT 6:25 is a new series of events held in the ART WORKS Projects studio gallery at 625 N. Kingsbury in Chicago. Launched in 2014, the programming will include free exhibitions, community conversations, panel discussions, film screenings, concerts, and more. Each event is designed to give audiences the opportunity to learn about and discuss a range of regional and global human rights topics and to consider how the arts are being used to address these issues.
Announcing the Emerging Lens Program
With the inception of the 625 AT 6:25 series, ART WORKS Projects has committed to providing an annual exhibition opportunity for a young photographer focused on documenting human rights and social justice challenges. Heriberto T Quiroz, a Chicago-based photographer currently studying at Columbia College, is the first photographer selected for the program.
Save the Date: Beyond the School Lunch, A Conversation & Workshop with Food will be held on February 28th. Click here to learn more and reserve tickets.
The 625 AT 6:25 2014/2015 series is made possible by the generous contributions of the following:
Friedman Law Group
Frost Lighting
Gourmet Gorilla
Printlab
Sawyer Agency
Urban Innovations

Deadline - Sow it Forward Grant
2015-01-09 17:00
The application deadline for our 2015 grant cycle is 5pm Eastern Time, Friday January 9, 2015.
Sow It Forward is the grants and partnership program of Kitchen Gardeners International. The grant is for nonprofit causes or organizations (schools, 501c3s, food banks, community gardens, colleges, libraries, prisons, senior programs, etc.) interested in starting or expanding food garden projects that are of general benefit to their community. Past grantees include school gardens, community gardens, food bank gardens, library gardens, senior gardens, prison gardens and homeless shelter gardens among others.
For our 2015 round of giving, we expect to offer 100 full grants and roughly 60 partial grants. A full grant has a value $500 and normally consists of a cash grant of $300-400 with the remaining $100-$200 taking the form of seeds and gift certificates for garden supplies and KGI’s online garden planner. The partial grant normally has a value of $325 and consists of a $300 cash grant and $25 one-year subscription to KGI’sonline garden planner. There are no geographic limitations on what types of food garden projects will be considered. Past grantees included projects from Portland, Oregon to Pakistan and many places in between. Because of trade restrictions and international shipping fees, garden projects from outside the US will only be eligible for partial grants.
The application deadline for our 2015 grant cycle 5pm Eastern Time, Friday January 9, 2015. Only funding requests submitted through KGI’s online grant application will be considered for funding. We recommend that prospective applicants download and complete the Sow It Forward Application Prep Form (Word, PDF) offline before starting their application online. This way you will have a version saved on your computer in case you have any trouble submitting the application online.
Any questions about the application process can be directed to Roger Doiron via email (roger@kgi.org) or phone (207.956.0606). For general issues related to using the KGI website, please see our help pages.

Due date for NEEF Every Day Events grants
2014-12-18
Read more here.

Envisioning a Green World Transformed
2014-11-16 11:00 - 15:30 | Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Presentations, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits will help you gain a well-rounded understanding of the many ways you can carry out an eco-friendly lifestyle in Chicago. Learn about local ventures in urban farming, sustainable fashion, DIY products, zero waste initiatives, responsible travel, health & well being, and community advocacy. Discover how these initiatives are possible and collect inside tips from industry leaders. Walk away with the resources to transform your lifestyle, and opportunities to take action in Chicago.
Buy tickets here.
Organic, vegan, and vegetarian lunch options are included. Student discounts available.

Urban Chicken Health Care
2014-11-13 18:00 - 20:30 | Irving Park United Methodist Church, 3801 N Keeler Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
Developed and taught by Home to Roost Urban Chicken Consultant Jen Murtoff, the workshop will cover prevention, basic troubleshooting, and care for common chicken health issues and injuries.
Please note that this is an advanced workshop for chicken keepers who are already experienced in basic care, and who want to advance their knowledge and skills.
Registration

AUA Fall Gathering: Cultivating Knowledge:
2014-11-11 18:00 - 21:00 | Loyola Chicago Institute for Environmental Sustainability, 6349 Kenmore Ave., Chicago , IL, 60660, United States
Sharing Current Urban Ag Research Relevant to Your Garden or Farm
Loyola Chicago Institute for Environmental Sustainability, Seminar Room 123/124
The night will include:

Presentations on urban agriculture research being done in Chicago and how it applies to those growing food in the city, including:

Chris Peterson on IES and higher education in urban agriculture
David Lowenstein on pollinators and biocontrol
John Taylor on urban plant varieties
Kellen Marshall on farmer knowledge and education survey

Tours and presentation on Loyola’s new sustainable agriculture program
Community Slideshow-Show off your garden or farm! Send 1-4 photos and a brief description to info@auachicago.org by noon on Monday 11/10
Community Potluck-Please bring a dish to share, or if you don’t feel like cooking, purchase food at IES’ Engrained Cafe, who will be donating 10% of proceeds to AUA

Chicken Butchery
2014-11-09 13:00 - 16:00
Learn the basics of butchering chickens at home. We’ll walk you through all the steps, from slaughter to dressing out. Participants will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with the butchering process. Class also includes an overview of chicken care, housing and feeding. Course fee includes a frozen soup chicken (from a USDA-inspected facility) to take home.
Registration

Basic Backyard Chicken Care
2014-11-08 13:30 - 16:30 | Irving Park United Methodist Church, 3801 N Keeler Ave, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
Offered by Angelic Organics Learning Center and taught by Home to Roost Urban Chicken Consultant Jen Murtoff, who calls it “the Cadillac of backyard chicken workshops.”
Registration

Principles, Protocols, and Practices for Growing High Quality Crops
2014-11-01 09:00 - 2014-11-02 16:00
Principles, Protocols, and Practices for Growing High Quality Crops
A Two-Day Workshop
For Farmers, Urban Growers, and Community Gardeners
Benefits:

Improved Pest and Disease Resistance
Better Tolerance of Extreme Weather Conditions
Ability to Improve Your Yield by helping Plants at their Critical Points of Influence
Ability to measure the nutrient value of the crops you are growing using a refractometer

Learn from a lifelong farmer’s understanding and first hand experiences utilizing a Biological Approach to crop production. Dan Kittredge, Executive Director of the Bionutrient Food Association (BFA) & the Real Food Campaign, will present a 2-session Workshop on High Bionutrient Crop Production.
November 1 & 2, 2014
9:30am – 4:30 pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Avenue – Community Classroom
Chicago, IL 60624
Cost: $150.00, with Scholarship funds available for Farmers.
Register: Two Options – Online or Mail-In Registration found on the Workshops page of the BFA website (http://www.bionutrient.org/workshops)
For Scholarship information, please contact Gary Neves, Course Administrator, Cell: 774-573-6804, gary@bionutrient.org
The High Bionutrient Crop Production workshops are designed to inform and support participants to grasp and apply innovative and reliable principles and practices for producing more nutritious food crops that lead to healthier lives. The learning focus of the series includes soil biology, mineralogy and energy dynamics. At the same time, we intend to establish a relational infrastructure among growers that will provide the basis for increasing collaboration between them, and also with the businesses and organizations that supply their needs and buy their products.
Each session consists of a classroom-style discussion and hands-on demonstration and practice. Those participants who provide their email will also receive periodic e-newsletters to supplement the workshop presentations. Registrants will be expected to procure their own soil tests as desired, and instruction for interpreting those will be covered during the workshop.
For Event Information: please contact Dr. Shemuel Israel, Co-leader of the Chicago Chapter of the Bionutrient Food Association and President of the North Lawndale Greening Committee – cell: 773-332-7887; or Annamaria Leon, Director, Education & Community Outreach cell: 414-339-5537, or email at nlgreeningcommittee@gmail.com.
Hosted by the Chicago Chapter of the Bionutrient Food Association, the North Lawndale Greening Committee, and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

CCGA Fall 2014 Workshop & Bulb Distribution
2014-10-25 10:00 - 23:30
A free workshop held in the Garfield Park Conservatory’s Jensen Room.

Program: What You Can Do This Fall To Prepare Your Garden For 2015 (Michael Webb)
Workshop: Planting Bulbs For Spring Color and Pollination (Kirsten Akre)
Workshop: Bulb Planting Demonstration and Distribution

CCGA welcomes all volunteer gardeners who help “green” up their neighborhood’s public (ie: non-private property) spaces with community gardens.
Please register early; space is limited. Forty of the community gardens who attend the workshop will win free bulbs for their site.
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DIY Rain Barrel
2014-10-05 14:30 - 16:30 | ReBuilding Exchange, 1740 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
In this session, Rob West will discuss water conservation and the how-to’s of making a rain barrel for downspout water collection using recycled materials.
Rob West is a third generation plumber who owns and operates Rob West Plumbing, Inc. His passion and energy formaking a difference in lowering our carbon footprint is innate.
This is an instructional only.
REGISTER HERE

Great Perennial Divide - PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED
2014-09-27 09:00 - 12:00
The Great Perennial Divide is a multi-site plant give-away open to all Chicago Community Gardens. There’s just one requirement: register your garden for the Divide no later than Tuesday, September 23rd to ensure that you receive a generous selection of plants.

WHEN:
Saturday, September 27th.
9:00- 10:30: STRICTLY FOR COMMUNITY GARDENERS THAT PRE-REGISTER BY SEPTEMBER 23rd
10:40- 12:00: Community gardens that did not preregister can select from any remaining plants. Ensure you get the best picks by pre-registering.

WHERE:
Choose one of three locations:

North: North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N Pulaski
West: Corner of Kedzie and Lake
South: Embassy Church, 5848 S Princeton

HOW TO HELP (and get more plants!):
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED to help unload the trucks and group the plants on Friday, September 26th from 9 to 12 or to load plants into carts and cars on Saturday, September 27th from 8 to 12. To volunteer, you must contact your location leader by September 22nd:

North: Ellen at 224-522-1255
West: Angela at 773-851-3162
South: Pat at 773-829-6111

Special thanks to Scott Byron and Co. for coordination of the generous plant donations.

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CCGA Hay Bale Pickup
2014-09-22 - 2014-09-25 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The time to put the garden to bed is just around the corner. Chicago Community Garden Association has secured bales of hay available to community gardeners. The hay bales are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call first to coordinate pick up with Angela Taylor at 773-851-3162.

Where: Center for Green Technology 445 N Sacramento Blvd
When: Pick up this week Monday 9/22 – Thursday 9/25

Enter the Visitor Parking Lot behind the CCGT building, look for the bench marker holding a parking spot, and follow the short path through the prairie to the hay.
Thanks to Christy Webber Landscapes for donating the hay!

Hyde Park Garden Fair's Fall Garden Fair
2014-09-20 09:00 - 16:00 | Hyde Park Shopping Center, 55th and Lake Park, Chicago, IL, 60615, United States
The Fall Garden Fair offers a wide selection of bulbs to plant now for spring bloom, both familiar daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses and tulips, and special varieties. We also offer fall-flowering plants to enjoy now. The fair is a fundraiser for the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference and its Garden Fair Committee, which supports gardening projects in Hyde Park-Kenwood and surrounding areas. Expert gardeners will be on hand to advise about planting and maintenance. We’ll be there, rain or shine!

Chicago Bee Basics
2014-09-07 14:30 - 16:30 | ReBuilding Exchange, 1740 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Jana Kinsman is a beekeeper in Chicago who cares for hives all over the city and advocates for pollinator health. In this session we’ll go over the basics of honeybee life, their role in our food world, and what it’s like being a beekeeper. We’ll also talk about native pollinators in the Chicago region and how you can help them. As a take-away, you’ll get to build your own small bee house to take home and put in your yard! (based on available scrapwood).

REGISTRATION HERE

Intro to Canning w. Pear Tree Preserves
2014-09-06 14:30 - 16:30 | ReBuilding Exchange, 1740 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
You will learn the basics of the hot water bath canning method and what tools you need to safely make your own fruit jam at home. Susie from peartreepreserves.com will take you through a canning demo in which you will learn some simple recipes for great jam!

REGISTRATION HERE
