Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Night Market at Edna White - Morgan Park
2025-07-31 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Edna White Community Garden, 1812 W Monterey Ave, Chicago, IL, 60643, United States
All are welcome to spend a relaxing, family friendly evening in the garden among neighbors and new friends.
Night Markets feature good tunes, local artisans, food and cocktails for purchase, although you are more than welcome to pack a picnic.
Ample seating, firepit after dusk, weather permitting. Free parking in Dist 22 lot, north of the garden and restrooms next door.
join our Facebook group to stay up to date on garden events: https://www.facebook.com/groups/221301244573122

August Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
2025-08-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
August Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners Lunch & Grow: Conversations with Conservationists and Gardeners
Chicago Grows Food is hosting a monthly event that will be a space to learn from an expert about what to focus on each month in your garden. Additionally, this is an opportunity to engage and grow with the gardening community. Come with questions or listen to others. Either way we will be here to chat.
us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/whc9WmHzTCuwvXWyuhcXnQ

Deadline to Apply for Urban Farmer Training - online
2025-08-14 | Online, Online, Chicago, IL, United States
Master Urban Farmer Training Program 2025
Mondays Sept 22 – Dec 8, 6 – 8 pm on Zoom
In person Field Day Sat. Sept 27 in Matteson, IL
$150
for More information about the program: go.illinois.edu/MUFTP or Call Sarah
at 217-300-8636
to Apply: go.illinois.edu/UrbanFarmer

Nutrient Management Field Day - Chicago Heights
2025-08-14 11:00 - 15:00
Cook County Farm Bureau Nutrient Stewardship Field Day
Thurs Aug 14, 11 am – 3 pm
Smits Farm, 3437 East Sauk Trail, Chicago Heights, IL This event is free and open to all. Call (708) 354-3276 to RSVP.

Evening in the Garden - Kilbourn Park
2025-08-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
Friends of Kilbourn Park – Evening in the Garden Fundraiser
Thursday Aug 14, 6 – 8 pm
3501 N Kilbourn, Chicago
$25

Buena Tunnel Garden Open Day
2025-08-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Buena Tunnel Gardens / Peace Garden, 4201 N Marine Dr, Chicago, 60613, United States
Buena Tunnel Garden Open Day!
Saturday, August 16 from 10am to noon.
The gardeners of the Buena Tunnel Garden are hosting an Open Day at the gardens on Saturday, August 16 from 10:00am to noon!
Meet the gardeners, tour the gardens, ask questions about the garden and plants, learn about the benefits of native plantings, and more!
Where: Buena Avenue and Marine Drive, opposite the Peace Garden
When: Saturday, August 16 from 10:00am to noon
Rain or Shine!
Some of the planned activities…

A Peace Garden yoga class hosted by Buena Park’s Yoga Body Elements ($14, 75-minutes, register on their website—www.yogabodyelements.com, or pay with cash or Venmo at the event. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket).
Local honey tastings! Learn about the benefits of eating local honey and the importance of garden pollinators.
See fascinating demonstration of the life cycle of the Buena Tunnel monarch butterflies.
Meet Ashley Kennedy, the creator of the Buena Tunnel plover mural. Talk to Ashley as she updates her mural with bees, butterflies and other details.
Join the Friends of the Peace Garden for an informative history tour.
Free giveaway of Buena Tunnel Garden native seed plants.

See you there!!

Gathering of Fermented Friends - West Town
2025-08-18 18:30 - 20:30
What the Ferment
Monday August 18, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Patchwork Farms 2825 W Chicago Ave, Chicago
$0 – $9 Sliding Scale
Patchwork Farms also accepts used jars with lids during open hours for repurposing.

Organic Certification Field Day - Englewood
2025-08-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Growing home, 5814 S Wood, Chicago, IL, 60636, United States
Growing Home Field Day Flier 8.20.25Location: Growing Home Wood Street Farm 5814 S Wood Street, Chicago
As part of Illinois Extension’s Summer Technical Assistance Field Day Series, in partnership with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), we are hosting a field day focused on Organic Certification.
Extension educators, along with Urban Farm Director Ezra Lee and Organic Crop Inspector Tracy Noel, will discuss organic farming practices at Growing Home. We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS Soil Conservationists for Cook County who will be on site to meet farmers and answer your questions about applying for reimbursement programs. Reimbursable conservation practices that are available to small scale urban growers and the Organic Certification Cost Share program will also be discussed.

University of Illinois • U.S. Department of Agriculture • Local Extension Councils Cooperating. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Jesse Schaffer at jschaff@illinois.edu or 312-585-9128

Maxwell St. Garden Dinner Fundraiser - West Town
2025-08-20 17:00 - 19:30
MAXWELL STREET COMMUNITY GARDEN Dinner Fundraiser
Wed August 20th 2025, at 5 or 7:30 pm
Sinha Elegant Brazilian Cuisine, 2018 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60612
$60 pp

Chicago FarmWorks Open House
2025-08-21 17:00 - 19:00
Chicago FarmWorks Farm to Table Gathering
Thursday, August 21 · 5 – 7pm
407 North Albany Avenue Chicago

Atkins Medicinal Garden Walk/Lecture - UIC
2025-08-22 10:00 - 15:00
Atkins Medicinal Garden Walk
Fri Aug 22, 10 am – 3 pm
833 S Wood, Chicago
https://pharmacognosy.pharmacy.uic.edu/pharmacognosy/atkins-medicinal-garden/atkins-medicinal-garden-annual-garden-walk/

Community Garden Tour - Garfield Park
2025-08-23 09:00 - 14:00
Garfield Park Community Garden Network Tour
Sat Aug 23, 9 am – 2 pm
departing from the gold dome, 100 N Central Park, Chgo
Tour is free, optional boxed lunch $15

Faith Farms Field Day - Gary IN
2025-08-23 11:00 - 14:00
Faith Farms and Orchard Changemaker Field Day
Saturday, August 23, 2025 | 11:00 AM CDT – 2:00 PM CDT | Free
ArtHouse: A Social Kitchen, 411 E 5th Ave, Gary, IN

Join us for a Field Day with Marbleseed’s 2025 Changemaker Award winner, Faith CDC at Faith Farms and Orchard in Gary, Indiana. Come learn about the important food justice work Faith CDC is doing through their youth training, fresh/frozen and food is medicine programs. Walk from station to station to tour the farm and infrastructure in place to make these programs possible. Socialize with community members interested in supporting local food systems and nurturing the next generation of farmers and eaters.

AUA Food Safety Workshop - Bronzeville
2025-08-24 11:00 - 14:00
AUA Food Safety Workshop
Sunday August 24 from 11-2
Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm, 4148 S Calumet Ave Chicago,
– A tour of the farm
– a conversation on productivity
– and food safety and sanitation
– peracetic acid sanitation distribution

2025-08-28 18:00 - 19:30
Chicago’s First Urban Agriculture Plan Listening Session #2
Advocates of Urban Agriculture in partnership with Chicago’s Community
Gardeners Association are excited to announce our second listening session
August 28 from 6:00-7:30 PM at The Quarry
2423 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60649

Click here to register to the event

Over the next few years, Chicago Community Gardeners Association (CCGA) and
Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA), in collaboration with partners
throughout Chicago, will be focusing our efforts on co-creating an urban
agriculture plan. As such, the purpose of this listening session is to
receive community feedback on what your experiences have been as a gardener
in Chicago. We are interested in hearing more about what challenges you’ve
encountered as an urban farmer and what opportunities you envision for
Chicago. We are gathering and collaborating on ideas that should be
included in the urban agriculture plan to make growing food, medicine,
habitat and ornamentals more accessible in Chicago.

We will be hosting a group and break out discussion on the following topics:
Land access, soil health, fines, fees, and punitive processes,
environmental justice, and funding for scaling operations and
infrastructure.

To learn more, and to complete a survey, visit our website.

Ag and Garden Fair - Avondale
2025-08-31 12:00 - 16:00
Avondale Gardening Alliance Ag and Garden Fair
Aug 31, noon – 4 pm
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10235162384898271

Food Safety Webinar - online
2025-09-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Online, Online, Chicago, IL, United States
Webinar: Food Safety in Fresh Produce — Wash and Pack Areas
Wed Sept 10, 4 – 5 pm
+ see accompanying Garden Food Safety Tips Fact Sheet

Harvest Soiree - Blue Island
2025-09-11 17:30 - 20:30
Hello to All Gardeners,
Please find below the agenda for the Harvest Soiree, scheduled for Thursday, September 11th, at the Upper Pavilion in Memorial Park. This event is open to all community members—please extend this invitation throughout our community.
Thursday, September 11, 2025
*Event supporting Blue Island Community Gardens (donations are optional and sincerely appreciated)
5:30 pm – Yoga session led by Michelle Bauer of Nourishing Mind, Body, and Soul
6:00 pm – Light refreshments and appetizers served, including:

Iverson’s mint/lavender lemonade
Basil and watermelon-infused water
Mint tea
A limited selection of other beverages

Activities:

Gardener’s appetizers
Guided garden visits
Photo booth in the gardens
Bouquet making station featuring arrangements from Bloom Creek Flowers and our community gardens
Sidewalk chalk and additional crafts available for children

7:00 pm – Dinner will be served, accompanied by acknowledgements and an overview of the Blue Island Community Gardens
*Culinary presentations by:

M&R Grilling, presented by Chef Ray Bauer
Chef Elizabeth Canna
Chef Joe O’Meara
Chef Tom Mantel
Chef Joe Leamanczyk
Chef Michelle from Council Oak

Additionally, potluck dishes will be provided by our community gardeners and neighbors. Elaine Lentz’s zucchini relish will be a featured this year.
8:00 pm – Dessert and raffles, with gratitude to Elizabeth Canna Pizza for generously donating and preparing 16 raffle gifts
Great appreciation to the collaborative efforts that make this event possible and looking forward to your participation on Thursday.
Garden ON and see you soon!!🌻
Val Kehoe
valkehoe62@gmail.com

Fruit Tree Workshop - Blue Island
2025-09-13 09:00 - 10:30 | Hope Center, 2552 135th St, Blue Island, IL, 60406, United States
Grow Together at The Hope Center with the Adopt a Tree event sponsored by Hispanic Access Foundation in honor of Latino Conservation Week!

Join us for a free community workshop where you’ll receive a fruit tree and learn how to plant, care for, and prune it. Together, we’re building our community’s capacity to grow our own food, strengthen local roots, and share in the joy of cultivating fresh fruit right at home.

This family-friendly event is a chance to gain hands-on skills, take home a tree, and be part of a movement that empowers Blue Island to flourish—one tree at a time!

Click the link to register: https://go.hopecenter.tv/tree1

#GrowTogether #AdoptATree #HopeCenterBlueIsland #LatinoConservationWeek #StrongerRoots #BlueIslandGrows

Worm Composting Workshop
2025-09-13 11:00 - 13:00
2025 Just Roots Workshop Series

Saint James Community Farm
2936 S Wabash Ave., Chicago IL 60616

September 13th: Food Waste and Composting with Worms 11am – 1pm (Vermicomposting)

School Garden Support Party - Pilsen
2025-09-16 16:30 - 18:30
School Garden Support Party
Tuesday, September 16, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Irma C. Ruiz Elementary, 2410 S Leavitt St, Chicago, IL 60608
We will have dinner, music, a variety of garden activities, and cooking demos! This workshop is free and open to all, but is focused on teachers and community members who work with school gardens.

NRCS Field Day - Skokie
2025-09-16 17:00 - 19:00 | The Talking Farm, 3669 Howard St, Skokie, IL, 60076, United States
September 16, 2025, 5 – 7 pm
The Talking Farm
3669 Howard St, Skokie, IL 60076
As part of Illinois Extension’s Summer Technical Assistance Field Day Series, in partnership with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), we are hosting a field day focused on Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs for Urban Farmers.
Extension educators, along with Production Manager, Jack Phillips, will discuss conservation practices at The Talking Farm. We’re thrilled to welcome Joseph Bridges and Alicia Lozano, the USDA NRCS Soil Conservationists for Cook County who will be on site to meet farmers and answer your questions about applying for reimbursement programs. Reimbursable conservation practices that are available to small scale urban growers will also be discussed.

University of Illinois • U.S. Department of Agriculture • Local Extension Councils Cooperating. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
Please join us for the other field days in this series:
July 23: Contemporary Farmer 4:30-6:30 PM (Bilingual Soil Health)
July 30: LaVillita 5 – 7 PM (Billingual Soil Health) Little Village Chicago
August 20: Growing Home 5-7 PM (Organic Certification Cost Share)
October 14: We Sow We Grow 4:30-6:30 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs) West Pullman, Chicago

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact
Jesse Schaffer

September CCGA Coordinating Meeting - Hybrid
2025-09-16 18:00 - 19:00
Please join us for our monthly coordinating meeting. Representatives from all the working groups come together to coordinate our actions. All community gardeners and supporters are invited to attend.
CCGA coordinating meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month, except for July & August.
This is the virtual Zoom meeting link for our monthly meetings:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82680460687?pwd=[REDACTED]

Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Dial in number: 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 826 8046 0687
Passcode: [REDACTED]
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 by year.

Cover Crop Workshop - Gary Comer
2025-09-19 17:00 - 19:00
AUA’s Urban Cover Crop Workshop
Friday, September 19 | 5–7PM
Gary Comer Farm – 7200 S. Ingleside, Chicago
Food, farm tour, and workshop included.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urbansmall-scale-cover-cropping-tickets-1603603574459

Fall Equinox Yoga - Maxwell St. Garden
2025-09-20 11:00 - 12:00
Maxwell’s Fall Equinox Yoga Finale Session on September 20th @ 11 am !
1150 W 13th Street, Chicago
https://www.maxwellstreetgarden.org/
maxwellstreetgarden@gmail.com | Tel: +1(630) 210-1589

Growing Home Backyard BBQ - Englewood
2025-09-21 14:00 - 17:00 | Growing home, 5814 S Wood, Chicago, IL, 60636, United States
Growing Home Backyard BBQ Fundraiser
Sunday, September 21 · 2 – 5pm
5814 South Wood Street Chicago, IL 60636
$25 – $100

Join Growing Home for our annual Backyard Barbecue on Sunday, September 21, 2025—a festive farm-to-table friendraiser celebration of food, farming, and community! This event showcases the vibrant spirit of Greater Englewood through:

Incredible bites and beverages from talented local chefs and caterers
Live music and entertainment throughout the day
Tour of Growing Home’s urban farm, gardens, and block spaces
Interactive raffles and games
Plus, hear from a Growing Home program alumni speaker, sharing their journey and impact

This event will uplift and support Chicago’s local food system—and proceeds directly benefit Growing Home’s workforce development programs, food access initiatives, and community healing work.

Growing Home's 4th Annual Backyard Barbecue
2025-09-21 14:00 - 18:00 | Growing Home Urban Farm, 5814 South Wood Street Chicago, IL 60636, Chicago, IL, 60636, United States
Join us for a festive evening at Growing Home’s annual Backyard Barbecue, a celebration of food, music, and community! Enjoy delicious bites from local chefs, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities—all set against the backdrop of our USDA-certified organic urban farm in Englewood. Guests will also have the opportunity to take guided tours of our beautiful farm and learn about our mission to build a more equitable Chicago through food, jobs, and community.
📅 Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025🕒 Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM📍 Location: Growing Home Urban Farm, 5814 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60636
Come connect with neighbors, support local good food, and celebrate the harvest season with us. All are welcome!
Learn more & RSVP: growinghomeinc.org/events

Pollinator Steward certification Day 1
2025-09-25 09:00 - 16:00 | The Plant, 1400 W. 46th Street, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States
Pollinator Steward Certification
September 25th, 9 am – 4 pm, and September 26th, 9 am – 4 pm
The Plant 1400 W. 46th St., Chicago IL 60609
The Pollinator Steward Certification (PSC) program, offered by Pollinator Partnership, empowers people with the scientific know-how to make a real difference for pollinators, people, and the planet. This course is ideal for agricultural managers, farmers and growers, home gardeners, and anyone that wants to do more to support pollinators.

Topics include an introduction to the world of pollinators, how they live and thrive, and how we can help. Details will be provided on habitat creation for pollinators for both urban and agricultural landscapes. Additional information on pollinator identification and how to monitor your plants for Budburst, a community-focused, data driven approach to conservation (a program of the Chicago Botanic Garden) will be provided.

Join us for this FREE workshop at The Plant (1400 W. 46th St., Chicago IL 60609) on September 25th (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) and September 26th (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) to learn from Chicago based scientists and practitioners. Space is limited to 45 attendees.

Pollinator Steward Certification - Day 2
2025-09-26 09:00 - 16:00 | The Plant, 1400 W. 46th Street, Chicago, IL, 60609, United States

Cookbook Club and Potluck - Pilsen
2025-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | El Paseo Community Garden, 966 W. 21st St, Chicago, IL, United States
El Paseo Monthly Potluck Dinners
Sept 26, 6 – 8 pm
944 W 21st street, Chicago
