Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Small Farm Season Extension @ Windy City Harvest
2016-03-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Arturo Velasquez Institute Greenhouse, 2800 S Western Ave , Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
Learn how to extend your spring or fall growing season to 9-months or even year round production. Explore what crops and varieties perform best in Chicago. Specific techniques will be covered, such as using row cover, building simple low tunnels and cold frames, and creating protected cultivation in a hoophouse. This workshop includes a hands-on basic low tunnel build out activity.
To register for this workshop go to http://www.chicagobotanic.org/education/windy_city_harvest

Forest Park Seed Swap
2016-03-13 14:00 - 16:00 | St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130, United States
The 6th Annual Forest Park Seed Swap on March 13th from 2-4pm. Come swap seeds with other gardeners. If you don’t have seeds available we will have seeds for sale that you can use as your entrance to the swap. The seed swap is free if you register ahead of time.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forest-park-community-garden-annual-seed-swap-tickets-21777625464
You can reach the seed swap via the Green and Purple CTA lines.

Chicago Flower and Garden Show
2016-03-12 10:00 - 2016-03-20 18:00 | Navy Pier, 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
The roots and inspiration of the Chicago Flower & Garden Show can be traced back as far as 1847 when an exposition was presented by the Chicago Horticulture Society. The show has since evolved. From decade to decade it has moved venues, grown in size and expanded its list of attractions. Today the show welcomes more than 40,000 attendees to Navy Pier, where they can experience every facet of horticulture. While visiting, attendees can walk through life-size gardens, participate in DIY workshops, learn from educational seminars, enjoy garden-to-table cooking presentations and more. The Chicago Flower & Garden Show is encouraging new generations to get involved and be inspired by gardening.

Food Safety Training for Community Food Systems
2016-03-12 09:30 - 13:30 | • First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn, 100th & Central Ave., Oak Lawn , Oak Lawn, IL, United States
The University of Illinois Extension is partnering with 2015 INUAg winner Grace Seeds Ministry to offer a free Food Safety Training for all participants of Chicagoland community food systems.
March 12, 2016 (9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Safe and Smart! “Food Safety, Post-Harvest Handling, and Scheduling Plantings for Community Food Systems”
@ two locations
• First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn – 100th & Central Ave., Oak Lawn
• Webinar viewing location: 826 S Ada Street, Chicago. 60607
Free Training. Morning snack and light lunch included.
University of IL Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms educator Zack Grant will cover steps urban scale community food production sites can implement before and after the actual food production is happening. Zack Grant will cover
• food safety planning for small food producing sites
• how to handle produce once it has been harvested
• pre-season planning to prevent harvest waste and increase logistical ease for the end user.
This training will be tailored to the unique work Grace Seeds Ministry is conducting through its Share the Harvest Project in Chicago; but is open and applicable to all Chicagoland community garden participants. If you participate in a community or school garden, share produce at a farmers market or food pantry, or just want to be sure you’re feeding your family safely from your home garden – this training is for you!
Please RSVP to graceseesministry@gmail.com or 773-495-7865.
Rev. Linda Wygant
Grace Seeds Ministry
graceseedsministry@gmail.com
773-495-7865

“Food Safety, Post-Harvest Handling, and Scheduling Plantings for Community Food Systems”
2016-03-12 09:30 - 13:30 | First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn – 100th & Central Ave., Oak Lawn Webinar viewing location: 826 S Ada Street, Chicago. 60607, Chicago, IL, United States
The University of Illinois Extension is partnering with Grace Seeds Ministry to offer a free Food Safety Training for all participants of Chicagoland community food systems.

March 12, 2016 (9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.)
Safe and Smart! “Food Safety, Post-Harvest Handling, and Scheduling Plantings for Community Food Systems”
@ two locations

First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn – 100th & Central Ave., Oak Lawn
Webinar viewing location: 826 S Ada Street, Chicago. 60607

Free Training. Morning snack and light lunch included.

University of IL Extension Local Food Systems and Small Farms educator Zack Grant will cover steps urban scale community food production sites can implement before and after the actual food production is happening. Zack Grant will cover

food safety planning for small food producing sites
how to handle produce once it has been harvested
pre-season planning to prevent harvest waste and increase logistical ease for the end user.

This training will be tailored to the unique work Grace Seeds Ministry is conducting through its Share the Harvest Project in Chicago; but is open and applicable to all Chicagoland community garden participants. If you participate in a community or school garden, share produce at a farmers market or food pantry, or just want to be sure you’re feeding your family safely from your home garden – this training is for you!
Please RSVP to graceseesministry@gmail.com or 773-495-7865.

Download (PDF, 5.22MB)

Project 2746: Grow With Us!
2016-03-10 18:00 - 19:30 | Dill Pickle Co-op, 2746 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Project 2746 is a weekly Thursday evening event series building cooperative community in the Dill Pickle’s future home. Come check out the space and stay to soak up some sustainable gardening practices with a few of our favorites:

‘Soil Truthing’
with Nance Klehm of Social Ecologies & Ground Rules
Bring a soil sample from your garden!
Bee Informed!
with Michael Thompson of Chicago Honey Co-op
Seed Starting
with Lora Lode of Monticello Garden & NeighborSpace

HELP US GROW!
Contribute to the expansion: www.dillpickle.coop/owner-loans
GET INVOLVED IN 2746!
Contribute your time & talents!
Email Cara at TheBrine@DillPickle.coop.

2016 CCGA Spring Conference
2016-03-05 09:00 - 15:00 | South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60649, United States

Making Pullman a Sustainable Community
2016-02-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Historic Pullman Visitor Center, 614 East 113th Street, Chicago, IL, 60628, United States
Sunday, February 28th 3pm-5pm in the Historic Pullman Center, 614 E, 113th St.
The Historic Pullman Garden Club is sponsoring this presentation by Tom Shepherd of the South East Environmental Task Force. Gardens…and especially Community Gardens are a very important part of a safe, healthy community – providing fresh food, exercise…and fun! Come and see what Pullman residents (including gardeners!) are doing to make this happen.

Volunteering with Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
2016-02-27 10:00 - 23:00 | Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
KILBOURN PARK ORGANIC GREEN HOUSE 2016 PLANT SALE WORK HOURS AND ORIENTATIONS

THE ANNUAL KILBOURN PARK ORGANIC GREEN HOUSE PLANT SALE WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, MAY 14TH, AND SUNDAY, MAY 15TH. MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR!!

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION DATES

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 3-4 PM
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27TH, 10-11 AM
ADDITIONAL DATES MAY BE ADDED LATER

IF YOU HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED BEFORE, WE SUGGEST YOU ATTEND ONE OF THESE SESSIONS!!

IF THESE DATES DO NOT WORK FOR YOU, CONTACT THE KPOGH VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, AND WE WILL TRY TO WORK SOMETHING OUT.

THE ORIENTATIONS WILL BE HELD IN THE KILBOURN PARK ORGANIC GREEN HOUSE.

WORK DAY SCHEDULES

A REGULAR WORK DAY SCHEDULE WILL START AT THE GREENHOUSE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22ND. IT FOLLOWS:
TUESDAY 10 AM – 3PM
THURSDAY 10 AM – 3PM
SATURDAY 9 AM – 2 PM

THCUS ON COLE CROUPS. THIS WILL INCLUDE LEEKS, CHIVES, CABBAGE AND EARLY GREENS

EACH WEEK WILL HAVE A PARTICULAR FOCUS. THE WEEK OF THE 22ND WILL FOCUS ON COLE/COLD CROPS. THESE WILL INCLUDE LEEKS, CHIVES, CABBAGE, EARLY GREENS, AND CANAS.

PLEASE CONTACT GEORGIA CHILTON, KPOGH WITH THE DATES YOU WITH TO PARTICIPATE AT ghchilton@gmail.com. IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.

ADDRESS OF THE GREEN HOUSE

THE GREEN HOUSE IS LOCATED SOUTH OF THE FIELD HOUSE IN KILBOURN PARK.

THE PARK ADDRESS IS LOCATED AT:

3501 NORTH KILBOURN AVENUE
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

IT IS JUST WEST OF MILWAUKEE AND METRA ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF ADDISON.

THE PHONE NUMBER OF THE GREEN HOUSE IS 773-685-3359

Mozart Community Garden Winter Fundraiser
2016-02-20 18:00 - 21:00 | Richmond’s Sports Bar, 2944 W Grand Ave, Chicago, United States
Sat Feb 20th at Richmond’s Sports Bar, 6-9 pm in the fireplace room.

Silent Auction (cash and check)
Cash Bar
50/50 Raffle (winner must be on site)
Soups and Breads

All proceeds from Raffle & Auction go to Mozart Community Garden.

4th Annual Southside Seed Swap
2016-02-20 10:00 - 23:30 | U of I Extension Chicago office, 8753 S Greenwood #100, Chicago, IL, 60619, United States
Interested in growing something new? Have a whole lot of one type of seed? Want more variety in your garden this growing season?
Come to this year’s Southside Seed Swap hosted by the U of I extension office at 9415 S Western. Meet other gardeners and share in the seeds of bounty!
Free event – register online here

CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2016-02-13 10:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
10am Saturday February 13th 2016 at NeighborSpace Offices – 445 N Sacramento Blvd.
This will be the final planning meeting before the 2016 Spring Conference so the agenda will be focused on final preparation and assignments. The meeting starts at 10am at the offices of NeighborSpace in the Green Technology Center. Parking is behind the building.

Hermosa: New Community Garden Meeting
2016-02-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Senior Suites of Kelvyn Park, 2715 N Cicero Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
New green space in Hermosa! 11,000 square feet of space (3.5 lots) has been dedicated for a new community garden in Hermosa at Kilpatrick and Parker. Join us to see multiple schemes for the site and learn how you can get involved and make this space work for your community.

AUA Movie & Mingle Night at Lagunitas
2016-02-02 17:30 - 20:30 | Lagunitas Chicago TapRoom, 2607 W. 17th St., Chicago, IL, 60608, United States
The Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) will be screening Can You Dig This, winner of the Los Angeles Film Festival. This film, from producer John Legend, “follows the inspirational journeys of four unlikely gardeners, discovering what happens when they put their hands in the soil. This is not a story of science and economics. This is a story of the human spirit, inspiring people everywhere to pick up their shovels and ‘plant some shit.'”
Tuesday, Feburary 2 at 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Lagunitas Chicago TapRoom
2607 W. 17th St., Chicago, IL 60608
$7 suggested donation at the door. All admission and bar sales will benefit AUA and El Paseo Garden.
Open to the public 21+. Please bring ID.

Weekly Soup & Bread Fundraiser through March 30th at Hideout
2016-01-20 17:30 - 20:00 | The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia, Chicago, IL, 60642, United States

CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2016-01-16 10:00 - 12:00 | South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60649, United States

CCGA Coordinating Meeting
2015-12-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
So winter is on its way! And that means you are all invited to attend the December CCGA coordinating meeting that is coming up soon – Saturday December the 12th from 10:00 am to Noon at the Green Tech Center. We will start our gathering in our usual casual fashion by sharing how gardening went for you this season…and what you will do the same (or differently!) next season and by snacking on any treats you would like to bring.
But our main goal is to start planning for the 2016 CCGA Spring Gathering and dividing up the usual event planning type tasks between each of the 4 CCGA working groups (Membership, Resources, Communication & Education).

CCGA Fall Gathering and Harvest Potluck Brunch
2015-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT), 445 N Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
The CCGA Fall Gathering is just around the corner, this Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 to Noon at the Center For Green Technology, 445 N Sacramento Blvd. We will celebrate the end of the summer growing season together and welcome Fall with a Harvest Potluck Brunch! Please bring a light dish to share. Please bring your own washable dishes, cups, and utensils so we are waste-free.
We will open the morning with a CCGA Coordinating Team discussion that will start with deciding the weekend date and the best of five location options for the CCGA Spring Festival in March 2016. Next our Four Working Groups will each make a brief report.Then we will eat and mix and mingle. If you have some harvested produce you would like to share we will highlight that because, yes, we can grow our own food, and we can cook!

Garden Bonfire at Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
2015-11-12 16:30 | IL
Garden Bonfire at the Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse
November 12th from 4:30-6pm
Come out and bring the whole family. Enjoy a night filled with S’Mores, Nature Crafting, and Campfire Singing.
This is a free event and all ages are welcome. Please join us! Dress warmly, this event will be outside regardless of the temperature.

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse - Canning Demo
2015-10-31 13:00 - 15:00 | Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
FRIENDS OF KILBOURN PARK ORGANIC GREENHOUSE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2015
SAVE THESE DATES FOR THREE EDUCATIONAL EVENTS SPONSORED BY FRIENDS OF KPOGH IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2015

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24THAT 1 PM

NANCY BENJAMIN, MASTER GARDENER WILL GIVE A TALK ON RESTORING FERTILITY TO YOUR GARDEN AND PUTTING IT TO BED FOR THE SEASON.
THERE WILL BE A FIVE DOLLAR CHARGE FOR THIS EVENT. PLEASE LET Georgia Chilton, (ghchilton@gmail.com) know by Wednesday, October 21st, if you plan to come.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31STFROM 1-3 PM

PAM ROCK AND ROSEANNE SKONIECKE WILL DEMONSTRATE CANNING TECHNIQUES. THEY WILL SHOW HOW TO MAKE CHAMPAGNE BLUSH JELLY AND APPLE CARMEL JAM.
THERE WILL BE TASTES OF THESE!! YUM! YUM!
THERE WILL BE A $7.00 CASH CHARGE FOR THIS. PLEASE LET Georgia Chilton, (ghchilton@gmail.com know by Wednesday, October 29th, if you can come.

SAVE THE DATE OF SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14TH!!

DAVID SNYDER, WILL GIVE A LECTURE ON FRUIT TREES.
MORE INFORMATION ON THIS WILL FOLLOW!!

CAMPFIRE STORYTIME, NOVEMBER 11th FROM 4:30-6pm

Bring out the whole family to enjoy a night in the garden beside a campfire and enjoy the telling of stories from across the world. There will also be singing and crafting. Dress warmly, event will be outside.
Feel free to contact Renee Costanzo (renee.costanzo@chicagoparkdistrict.com) if you have questions.

CCGA Members Meeting
2015-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. , Chicago, IL, United States
Save the date for the next CCGA meeting where you can network with other gardeners as you share gardening ideas, information and even resources. The Spring Conference will be discussed and plans made. Come Talk Garden!

Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse - Putting Gardens to Bed
2015-10-24 13:00 - 15:00 | Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States

Children's Harvest Festival / Festival Anual de la Cosecha para los Niños
2015-10-24 12:00 - 15:00 | El Paseo Community Garden, 966 W. 21st St, Chicago, IL, United States
FREE event this Saturday for our Annual Fall Children’s Harvest Festival from 12pm to 3pm! El Paseo Community Garden at 966 W. 21st St.
Join us for Pumpkin painting, games, pinata, prizes, potluck and much more! Please wear your costumes and bring a dish to share!
________________________________________
Un evento GRATIS este sábado para nuestro Festival anual de la Cosecha para los niños 12 p.m.-3 p.m.! El Paseo Jardín Comunitario en 966 W. 21st St.
Vengan para pintar calabazas, juegos, piñata, premios, convivo/potluck y mucho más! Por favor, ponganse sus disfraces y traigan un platillo para compartir!

Bountiful Bench Unveiling Ceremony
2015-10-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Bucktown Green, 1716 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
Bucktown Community Organization (BCO)
presents
THE INTALLATION OF AN ORIGINAL BRONZE SCULPTURE BY
ChrisTina Murphy
join us for the
UNVEILING CEREMONY
Installation Sponsored by Bucktown Community Organization
For inquiries please contact Rock Art Studio:
(773) 216-7614 / rockartstudio@yahoo.com

Community Gardens Take Action Against Hunger
2015-10-16 09:30 - 13:00 | Broadway Armory Park, 5713 N. Broadway , Chicago, IL, 60660, United States
Symposium on World Food Day
What can community gardens do to address fresh produce access in their neighborhoods? Join us to share best practices and resources among community gardens, food pantries and soup kitchens for donating and distributing food.
Who should attend? Anyone interested in connecting community gardens to food pantries. Join us if you are interested in: becoming part of a community garden, organizing a donation program from your current community garden, improving your garden’s current donation program, or if you are a pantry interested in accessing fresh produce grown in your neighborhood.
Schedule:
9:30-10:00am Registration
10:00-10:45am Panel Discussion
10:45-11:00am Break
11:00am-Noon Breakout Sessions and Resource Sharing
Noon-1pm Communal lunch sponsored by Chipotle Mexican Grill

Hay Bales available
2015-10-01 08:00 - 11:55 | Fulton Street Flower and Vegetable Garden, Chicago, IL, United States
We have some hay bales available for pick up tomorrow Thursday October 1st Until around 12:00 noon. Please call Angie T. 773-851-3162

Pilsen Urban Agriculture Field Day
2015-09-27 11:00 - 15:00 | IL
Join us as we tour Pilsen urban agriculture sites. Community members will be on hand to discuss practices that can be applied to your growing site!
11:00AM: Meet at Xochiquetzal Peace Garden – 1901 W. 23rd St. – Learn more about school gardening at this site connected to Whittier School. Prepare to get dirty while we help with a volunteer project.
1:00PM: El Paseo Community Garden – 966 W. 21st St. – Fall is approaching! Learn about season extension during a workshop offered by El Paseo’s leadership team.
Free and open to all!
Please bring a sack lunch.

Southside Perennial Distribution - Saturday, September 26, 2015
2015-09-26 10:00 - 14:00 | Embassy Church, 5848 S. Princeton, Chicago, IL, 60621, United States
The CCGA Fall Perennial Distribution is Coming!
In September, the CCGA Resources Committee will be distributing more perennials thanks to the efforts of Scott Byron Landscape Company. Here are the details:
On Friday, September 25, Scott Byron will DELIVER PLANTS to three locations:
New Horizons Community Garden
401 S. Central Park, Chicago – West
North Park VILLAGE Nature Center
5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago – North
Embassy Church
5848 S. Princeton Avenue, Chicago – South
On Friday, September25, we need volunteers to SORT PLANTS at each of the three locations, and to DISTRIBUTE PLANTS on Friday morning, 09/25/15, at the West location, and Saturday morning, 09/26/15, at the North and South locations.
To volunteer, please contact:
Ellen Newcomer (ecnewcomer334@gmail.com) – West
Julie Samuels (jsamuels1966@gmail.com) – North
Pat Jackson (patjackson56@gmail.com) – South
(Note: Volunteers who are representing a community garden will have the opportunity to load their allotment of perennials before the general distribution begins.)
Perennial Plant DISTRIBUTION Information
West Perennial Distribution (New Horizons): Friday, September 25 (ONLY)
North Perennial Distribution (North Park Village): Saturday, September 26 (ONLY)
South Perennial Distribution (Embassy Church): Saturday, September 26 (ONLY)
Each Chicago Community Garden may register for ONE of the above three locations by emailing the following information to mamie@uic.edu:
• Name and Address of community garden
• Name of person who will pick up plants
There is a $5.00 registration fee per garden.
Questions? Contact Mamie Gray, mamie@uic.edu.

Northside Perennial Distribution - Saturday, September 26, 2015
2015-09-26 10:00 - 14:00 | North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL, 60646, United States

Westside Perennial Distribution - Friday, September 25, 2015
2015-09-25 10:00 - 14:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
