Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Carnival Time at Mother Earth Garden
2014-09-06 12:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Mother Earth Garden, 3059 W. 5th Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
Family fun, carnival style playstreet event. Bounce house, sport, carnival games, and Zumba

Tomato Fest
2014-09-06 09:00 - 12:00 | South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60649, United States
This 1st annual event will showcase many different ways to prepare and preserve the abundance of tomatoes in your garden, including:
Salsa Contest– make your best tomato based salsa for judging and prizes!
Tomato Swap– bring your favorite tomatoes from your garden to exchange with other gardeners.
Seed Saving Demonstration– to preserve what you love and help you share your best with others!
Cooking Demos – How to make sun dried tomatoes and more!

Global Garden Farm Market
2014-08-30 09:00 - 13:00, 2014-08-28 15:00 - 18:00 | IL
Buy fresh, just-picked, sustainably grown vegetables at the
Global Garden Farm Market
at Sacramento & Lawrence in Albany Park, Chicago, IL
Saturdays, 9 AM – 1 PM
Thursdays, 3 – 6 PM
June 14 through October
Our market stand is just inside the north farm gate, on Sacramento Avenue.

Garden Whimsy: Using nature's materials to decorate your garden and home
2014-08-26 19:00 - 21:00 | IL
Laurie Smith from Fat Blossom Farms
and
Artist Kathy Dickhut
WHEN:
Tuesday, August 26 at 7:00pm
WHERE:
The home of Barbara and Joe Moore
1431 W. Fargo
We all love to decorate our homes with cut flowers and to spice up our gardens with sculptures and fountains. But there is another way to decorate the home and garden….using found objects and natural products from our own yards, plus a little imagination.
Join us for the final member program of the year at the home of Barbara and Joe Moore. Laurie of Fat Blossom Farms will show us how they re-purpose wood, leaves and other natural products into garden “whimsies” that create magical fairy garden vignettes. And artist Kathy Dickhut will tell us about how she gathers herbs, dried flowers and other botanicals to fill custom potpourri sachets and curiosity cabinets.
Both presenters will have samples of their products for sale!
We’ll enjoy a few refreshments afterwards in the lovely back yard at the Moore home on Fargo. As a bonus, our host Barb Moore will tell us more about how she uses produce from her own garden creatively in her cooking — and you’ll get to sample some of the results of that creativity!
In case of rain, bring an umbrella to tour the faerie garden; we will enjoy refreshments and presentations indoors.
Meetings are free for RPGG members; $5 for guests. All are welcome.

CPS - GrowWELL Strategic Planning Forum
2014-08-23 11:00 - 13:00 | DePaul University Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave, Rm 220, Chicago, IL, United States
You told us you wanted a voice in shaping the future of school gardens at CPS – THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY. Please participate in one of the upcoming GrowWELL strategic planning forums to help develop a vision for the future of outdoor, edible education:

Thursday, July 24th – 3:00pm – Garfield Park Conservatory Community Room (300 N Central Park Ave)
Monday, August 4th – 4:30pm – Hammond Elementary (2819 W 21st Pl)
Monday, August 18th – 6:00pm – Wadsworth Elementary (6650 S Ellis Ave)
Saturday, August 23rd – 11:00am – DePaul University Student Center (2250 N.
Sheffield Ave, Rm 220)

Over the next two months, the Chicago Public Schools Office of Student Health and Wellness will conduct a series of forums to engage students, parents, teachers, administrators, external partners, academics and other stakeholders in crafting a district-wide vision for school gardens.
GrowWELL Strategic Planning Forums:
-A strategic plan to strengthen outdoor, edible education for all Chicago Public School students; -An initiative that engages internal and external stakeholders;
-An effort to maximize the proven health, academic and behavioral benefits of school gardens.
Please contact Drew Thomas – dmthomas21@cps.edu – with any questions.

CPS - GrowWELL Strategic Planning Forum
2014-08-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Wadsworth Elementary, 6650 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL, United States

Root Cellars to Refrigeration: Food Preservation 101
2014-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Speaker: Tim Heppner, Ecotelligent Design
Audience: General
How can you enjoy the fruits and vegetables from your summer garden all year round? Tim Heppner takes us through homesteading 101: preserving. He will show multiple methods that are used to preserve foods such as canning, dehydration, fermentation and more. He will outline each method’s pros and cons, discuss how long food will last while stored each way, and describe what foods are best for each method. Being ever interested in energy usage, Tim will also take a deeper look into how much energy each method will use and what will be your greenest option!
Space is limited – Register here

McKinley Park Garden Walk
2014-08-09 13:00 - 16:00 | McKinley Park Community Garden, 1900 W Pershing Road, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Tour over 10 public and private gardens in the McKinley Park neighborhood including the McKinley Park Community Garden, learning gardens at local schools, and home gardens throughout the neighborhood.
Maps of the garden sites will be available at the McKinley Park Community Garden (1900 W Pershing Road) or the McKinley Park Library (1915 W 35th Street) on the day of the walk. The tour will be self-guided so you can visit the gardens at your leisure.
In addition, Master Gardeners will be present at the community garden to answer your gardening questions.
The walk is rain or shine.

ACGA 2014 Conference: Gateway to Community in the City of Neighborhoods
2014-08-07 - 2014-08-10 | The Field Museum, 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Details to come!

Paper Fashion Party
2014-08-05 13:00 - 17:00 | The Papermaker’s Garden, 8th and Wabash, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
The Papermaker’s Garden at Columbia College Chicago presents a slow fashion experiment that transforms plants into fibers, fibers into paper, and paper into clothing and accessories.
Events include: A recycled fabric paper pulping demonstration by Jillian Bruschera of ‘The Mobile Mill’, large (4ftx10ft!) sheet formation, how to turn sheets of paper into fabric, fabric printing techniques, collaborative paper dress construction, print your own piece of paper ‘fabric’ to take home!

CPS - GrowWELL Strategic Planning Forum
2014-08-04 16:30 - 18:30 | Hammond Elementary, 2819 W 21st Pl, Chicago, IL, United States

Edible Garden Tour
2014-07-26 10:00 - 17:00 | The Sugar Beet Co-op, 812 W. Madison, Oak Park, IL, 60302, United States
Sugar Beet Co-op’s 3rd Annual Edible Garden Tour July 26, 10am-3pm
Vertical Gardens, Orchards, Goats, Chickens and More on This Year’s Tour
The Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative (“Sugar Beet Co-op”), a community based, member-owned, full service grocery store is hosting its 3rd Annual Edible Garden Tour Saturday, July 26 from 10am – 3pm.
At the peak growing season, participants can get a peek inside the beautiful edible gardens of neighbors in Oak Park, Forest Park, River Forest and Austin. Visitors will learn about urban agriculture, organic gardening, raised beds, successive planting and more. Cycling from garden to garden is encouraged.
Highlights of this year’s Edible Garden Tour include:

Back by popular demand: The Ioder Goat Farm housed in a backyard garage in the Austin neighborhood, Chicago

Examples of successful community gardens including Wonderworks Childrens Museum, The Longfellow Family Garden Club Garden, the Forest Park Community Garden and the Dominican Priory Garden

A private home in North Oak Park that completely converted their front and back yard into an orchard and vegetable garden

A private home in South Oak Park with a children’s garden including a cucumber teepee

“This year, we’re really seeing more people trying their hand at growing their own food,” said Jill Niewoehner, chairwoman of the Edible Garden Tour. “The number of families raising chickens has increased too. This event is ideal for those curious about gardening with edibles and for people looking for inspiration to try something new and different in their gardens.”

Tickets are limited and may sell out. Order tickets online in advance at http://sugarbeetegt.brownpapertickets.com. Co-op Members are $10, General Public $12 and Kids are FREE, but everyone must register. Become a new member of The Sugar Beet Co-op the day of the Edible Garden Tour and your tickets to the tour are free! Walk up ticket sales, check in, and map pickup the day of the tour is from 9:30-2pm at future site of The Sugar Beet Co-op 812 Madison, Oak Park.

Also, raffle tickets will be sold at The Sugar Beet Co-op for a chance to win a $250 garden consult and or a signed copy of the book, “From the Ground Up,” by Jeanne Nolan the Organic Gardener responsible for the edible gardens at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
The Sugar Beet Co-op will be open to the public in early 2015. Member-owners of the Sugar Beet Co-op will receive store discounts, voting rights, and patronage dividends. Membership is open to everyone and can be purchased through the Sugar Beet Co-op’s website. www.sugarbeetcoop.com
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Marshall Square Clean and Green Day
2014-07-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Latinos Progresando, 3047 W. Cermak Rd., Chicago, IL, United States
Meeting up at Latinos Progresando (3047 W Cermack Rd)

CCCG Perennial & Flower Giveaway at Sherwood Peace Garden
2014-07-25 11:30 - 14:30 | Sherwood Peace Garden, 61st and Princeton, Chicago, IL, 60621, United States
FREE PERENNIAL FLOWERS AND GRASSES
for your COMMUNITY GARDEN

WHEN

FRIDAY, JULY 25
Sign in starting 11:30 am
Pick up plants from 12:00 – 2:30 pm

WHERE

Sherwood Peace Garden
Princeton and 61st Streets (one block west of Dan Ryan Expressway) in Englewood

Many thanks to Elite Growers for donating perennials
to support our community gardens!

This perennial giveaway is sponsored by CCCG, a coalition of community gardeners.
For more information, contact: 312-479-0110 or bejstst@yahoo.com or get.gardening@yahoo.com.

http://chicagocommunitygardens.org/

Urban Ag Summer Camp
2014-07-14 09:00 - 15:00 | Triton College, 2000 5th Avenue, River Grove, IL, 60171, United States
Four-day summer camp: July 14-July 17, 9-3 pm

Visit Chicago’s best urban farms
Meet leaders in the local food movement
Learn about jobs in the emerging green economy
Sponsored by Triton College’s new Sustainable Agriculture Technology program, this experiential 4-day summer camp is designed to provide high school students with a hands-on perspective of our local food system. Participants will learn about opportunities in the emerging green economy through site visits to urban farms, conversations with innovative entrepreneurs, and tastings at local restaurants. The way that we think about food and farming is being turned up-side-down. Register now to learn more!
Taught by Nathan Wright (Triton College) and Cheryl Munoz (The Sugar Beet Coop). Camp materials to be provided. 24hrs of class time.
REGISTRATION: Contact Triton College’s Continuing Education Department, (708) 456-0300 x 3500 and register for CMP C50 101 Sustainable Urban Agriculture Camp. Registration is limited to 20 students, 14 to 18 years old.
FOR QUESTIONS (or to be added to our waiting list): Contact Nathan Wright, Faculty Member nathanwright@triton.edu or (708) 456-0300 x 3073.

Bucktown Garden & Tree Walk
2014-07-12 11:00 - 17:00 | IL

Bowmanville Garden Walk
2014-07-12 10:00 - 16:30 | Greenspace Garden, 5330 N Bell St, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
The 16th anniversary Bowmanville Garden Walk is Saturday, July 12, 2014, from 10 AM until 4:30 PM. Pick up a map at the welcome table located on Bowmanville Avenue at Bell in the Greenspace garden. Visit the Bowmanville Community Gardens along Bowmanville Avenue and the Gateway Gardens along Ravenswood Avenue at Balmoral. One group of home gardens will be open for viewing in the morning (10 – 1:00) and a separate group of home gardens will be open for viewing in the afternoon (1:30-4:30). Easy parking and convenient to local restaurants. Free with donations accepted.

Ginkgo Organic Gardens 20th Anniversary Party
2014-07-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Ginkgo Organic Gardens, 4055 N Kenmore, Chicago, IL, United States
Ginkgo Organic Gardens celebrates 20 years outgrowing hunger!
Ginkgo Organic Gardens is an all-volunteer community garden in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood that grows fruits and vegetables for those in need using only organic methods. Since 1994, Ginkgo has been out-growing hunger by donating our harvests to local hunger fighting organizations. In recent years we have donated 1,000 – 1,500 pounds of produce annually to Vital Bridges GroceryLand, a food pantry that serves low-income persons living with HIV.
On Saturday, July 12th, Ginkgo will raise a trowel and raise a glass to two decades of service. Please join us for a workday in the morning, a reception at noon, and a late lunch in the afternoon. Drop by at any time, leave at any time, but take a weed with you when you go.
Schedule:
9:00 – 12:00 Harvest and workday (at Ginkgo, 4055 N Kenmore)
12:30 – 3:00 Dedication, reception and light snacks (at Ginkgo, 4055 N Kenmore)
3:00 – onward Late lunch (at Ten Cat Tavern, 3931 N Ashland Ave)
Please RSVP at: info@ginkgogardens.org
(Note: there is a Cubs game at Wrigley Field on the 12th. We encourage you to take public transportation rather than driving.)

Neighborhood Housing Flag Installation
2014-07-11 01:30 - 14:00 | IL
Come out and join us as we hold a small ceremony to commemorate the hanging of our light pole banners.
These banners, made possible by Historic District residents, a matching grant from Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, corporate sponsors and elected officials, will be hung on light poles on the District’s perimeter along Pulaski Rd, Cermak Rd and Kostner Ave.
The purpose of the banners is to highlight our distinction of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places and to attract new investments by families and businesses in this 100 year old, intact community.
Our brief ceremony will take place in Unity Park at 1900 S Kostner Ave. this Friday, July 11th at 1:30 pm.
Hope you can join us.
Paul Norrington, Vice-President
K-Town Historic District Association “Celebrating History and Cultivating the Future”
Voicemail: (224)325-5843
P.O. Box 24072 Chicago, Il 60624
ktowndistrict@yahoo.com
facebook.com/KTHDAssociation

2nd Story: Share Your Garden Story - NEW DATE
2014-07-09 18:00 - 20:30 | Hermitage St Community Garden, 5643 S Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
2nd Story will share four distinct storytelling opportunities in community gardens in across Chicago.
Monday, June 23rd: Fulton Garden, 4427 W. Fulton in Garfield Park
Thursday, June 26th: Ruby Garden, 1557 W. Schreiber
Monday, June 30th, La Huerta Roots and Rays Garden, 1513 W Cullerton St
Wednesday, July 9th, Hermitage St Community Garden, 5643 S Hermitage Ave
All events will run from 6:00- 8:30 pm
Stories gathered at these events will be used to create a unique performance scheduled to take place at the 35th Annual American Community Gardening Conference in Chicago, August 7th-10th, 2014.
Make sure to attend at least one workshop if you are interested in participating in the performance. 2nd Story staff will be on site to provide you with additional details of your participation. Check out the event flyer for more information.

2nd Story: Share Your Garden Story
2014-06-30 18:00 - 20:30 | La Huerta Roots & Rays Garden, 1513 W Cullerton St, Chicago, IL, United States
2nd Story will share four distinct storytelling opportunities in community gardens in across Chicago.
Monday, June 23rd: Fulton Garden, 4427 W. Fulton in Garfield Park
Thursday, June 26th: Ruby Garden, 1557 W. Schreiber
Monday, June 30th, La Huerta Roots and Rays Garden, 1513 W Cullerton St
Wednesday, July 2, Hermitage St Community Garden, 5643 S Hermitage Ave
All events will run from 6:00- 8:30 pm
Stories gathered at these events will be used to create a unique performance scheduled to take place at the 35th Annual American Community Gardening Conference in Chicago, August 7th-10th, 2014.
Make sure to attend at least one workshop if you are interested in participating in the performance. 2nd Story staff will be on site to provide you with additional details of your participation. Check out the event flyer for more information.

South Shore Farmers' Market
2014-06-29 12:00 - 17:00 | Rainbow Beach Park, 79th & South Shore Dr., Chicago, IL, 60649, United States
South Shore Farmers’ Market provides fresh produce and healthy food. We support local, urban and sustainable growers, producers, processors; and to educate the community about healthy food, cooking, eating, food production, and growing edible gardens. South Shore Farmers’ Market upholds environmentally-friendly and sustainable practices.

Soil in the City: Enhancing Urban Soils for Living Landscapes and Healthy Communities
2014-06-29 08:00 - 2014-07-02 17:00 | Crowne Plaza, 160 E Huron, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
Update: full conference schedule now available!

The theme of this conference is “restoring our available urban land and optimizing local resources, while protecting environmental and human health and enhancing socio-cultural dialogue.” The conference will focus on three themes: (i) Urban Gardening, (ii) Green Infrastructures, and (iii) Greening Brownfields. This conference is for anyone working with planning, designing, constructing, and/or maintaining urban infrastructures and outdoor areas, including engineers, landscape architects, designers, biosolids management leaders, contractors/consultants, developers, builders, city planners, arborists, foresters, urban gardeners, researchers, and educators. Conference attendees will be eligible to earn up to 15 professional development credits (PDHs/CEUs).
Registration is $250.00 by April 15, 2014. After April 15, the registration price is $300.00.
Abstract submission for poster sessions will be available until March 31, 2014. Students are encouraged to submit poster abstracts. Please contact Dr. Lakhwinder Hundal to submit your abstract or if you have questions.
More information is available on the conference flier.
Update: full conference schedule now available!

Pullman Garden Tea and Tour
2014-06-28 10:00 - 16:00 | Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 614 East 113th Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
20th Annual Garden Walk for Historic Pullman Garden Club
The Historic Pullman Garden Club, with co-sponsors the Historic Pullman Foundation and Pullman State Historic Site, invite you back to the Victorian era of the 1880s during the Garden Tea and Tour on Saturday June 28, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Victorians passed the summer days more leisurely than we do today and so can you, as you step back in time within this picturesque neighborhood. Tickets include a light summer-themed tea, including finger sandwiches, home-baked sweets and strawberries, all accompanied by refreshing iced tea or lemonade.
You can enjoy one of the guided walking tours of the historic district (departing at 11:30 and 1:30), or use the self-guided tour map and stroll at your own pace. The tour will wind through the row house lined blocks to visit the public gardens, select personal gardens, plus the newest addition to the district, a community food garden.
The tea and tour showcases the entrance to the Pullman Historic District, our beloved Gateway Garden. Over a decade ago the Gateway Garden was funded through a grant from the Chicago Botanic Gardens, making it possible, through a collective effort of neighbors, to clear, plan and plant an empty lot fallen victim to urban blight. Gateway Garden is now a haven to butterflies, honey bees and lovers of growing things, and is a part of the NeighborSpace community garden network.
Tickets for the event are $12 in advance by emailing historicpullmangardens@gmail.com or calling (773) 568-2441 until June 26th, and $15 on the day of the event. The day begins at the Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 11141 South Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago. 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.

Chicago Botanic Garden School Gardening Conference
2014-06-28 08:00 - 16:00 | IL
Professional Development Opportunity for Educators
On June 28, 2014, the Chicago Botanic Garden is hosting the 16th School Gardening Conference “Next Generation of School Gardening”, for all grade levels. This conference provides an inspiring showcase of presentations, from tips to starting a new garden, to ways to make the garden a vital part of the curriculum. This year’s conference will focus on connecting gardening to Next Generation Science Standards, and incorporating into classroom curriculum. Please forward the link below onto any teacher, administrator, librarian, informal educator, or anyone else who may be interested.
http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=b8d5a8ce718556733498bee3e&id=f18245d20d&e=f9bb6078e7

2nd Story: Share Your Garden Story
2014-06-26 18:00 - 20:30 | Ruby Garden, 1557 W. Schreiber, Chicago, IL, United States
2nd Story will share four distinct storytelling opportunities in community gardens in across Chicago.
Monday, June 23rd: Fulton Garden, 4427 W. Fulton in Garfield Park
Thursday, June 26th: Ruby Garden, 1557 W. Schreiber
Monday, June 30th TBD
Wednesday, July 2 TBD
All events will run from 6:00- 8:30 pm
Stories gathered at these events will be used to create a unique performance scheduled to take place at the 35th Annual American Community Gardening Conference in Chicago, August 7th-10th, 2014.
Make sure to attend at least one workshop if you are interested in participating in the performance. 2nd Story staff will be on site to provide you with additional details of your participation. Check out the event flyer for more information.

6062Trees/Sembrando Bajo el Sol Workshops
2014-06-25 16:00 - 18:00 | 6062Trees/Sembrando Bajo el Sol, 2608-2612 S. Trumbull , Chicago, IL, United States
Workshops: health, planting, aerobics, art, fabric & crafts.
Contact Maria Herrera (312-504-0323) with questions.

CCCG: Citywide Community Gardener Meeting
2014-06-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Openlands Conference Room, 25 E Washington St, 16th Floor, Chicago, IL, United States
Join us for the next CCCG meeting as we work together to create a strong network of community gardens, leaders and members.

Mr. Keeler's Pumpkin Eaters/Jardin de la Calabaza Workshops
2014-06-24 16:00 - 18:00 | IL
Workshops: health, planting, aerobics, art, fabric & crafts
Contact Maria Herrera (312-504-0323) with questions.
