Chicago Community Gardeners Association

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 | 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 | IL
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 | 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 | IL
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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!

Putting Small Acres to Work Conference
2016-12-03 09:00 - 17:00 | NIU Rockford Conference Center, 8500 E State Street, Rockford, IL, United States
December 3, 2016 9 am – 5 pm
NIU Conference Center, 8500 E State Street, Rockford, IL.
There will be general sessions on permaculture and farm-scale energy production, as well as breakout sessions on both plant and animal topics, including tomatoes and peppers, microgreens, shiitake mushrooms, raising livestock for fiber, meat goat production, and controlling weeds in pastures. See attached Flyer for more information.
Cost $40 includes all materials and lunch
Pre-registration required by 12/1 at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=15486

Sustainable Solutions Workshop Showcase - Wednesday, November 30th at the Institue of Design
2016-11-30 09:00 - 11:00 | IL
Sustainable Solutions Workshop Showcase
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
9 AM – 11 AM CST
Illinois Institute of Technology
Downtown Campus
565 W. Adams St
Institute of Design (7th floor)
Chciago
Breakfast will be served

Download (PDF, 2.33MB)

CCGA Adhoc Conference Planning Committee - Monday November 28 at 10am at Breakthrough FamilyPlex
2016-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Breakthrough Ministries Familyplex, 3219 W. Carroll Ave., Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
Please join us:
CCGA Adhoc Conference Planning Committee
Monday, November 28th, 2016
10am to 12pm
Breakthrough FamilyPlex
3219 W. Carroll
Chicago, IL 60624
see you there!

Chicago, We Can Change the Food System - Food Tank Summit
2016-11-16 | Gleacher Center, 450 N Cityfront Plaza Dr, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States
40+ Top Local, National, and Global Food and Agriculture Experts Coming to Chicago for Major 1-Day Summit
The 2016 Chicago Food Tank Summit will be coming to the University of Chicago – Booth School of Business on November 16th.
Food Tank (foodtank.com), in partnership with The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and University of Chicago Booth School of Business, will be holding an upcoming food and agriculture focused one day conferenced entitled, “Chicago, We Can Change the Food System – the 2016 Food Tank Summit” on November 16th from 9:00AM-5PM CST at the Gleacher Center (450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive).
The event features more than 40 speakers including (in alphabetical order): Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary; Rick Bayless, Frontera; Alesha Black, Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Alexander Borschow, Semillero Ventures, LLC; Ben Burkett, National Family Farm Coalition; Kevin Cleary, Clif Bar & Company; Mel Coleman, Niman Ranch; Bill Daley, Chicago Tribune; Monica Eng, WBEZ; Bruce Friedrich, The Good Food Institute; Shayna Harris, Farmer’s Fridge; Pamela Hess, Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture; Greg Kearns, Heifer International; Fred Kirschenmann, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University; Stacey Kole, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; Corby Kummer, Atlantic Monthly; Karen Lehman, Fresh Taste; Fred Lutzi, The Land Institute; Cassandra Ly, Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition (BCFN) Alumni Association; Juliette Majot, IATP; Angela Mason, Windy City Harvest; David MacLennan, Cargill; Anuradha Mittal, Oakland Institute; Lisa Moon, The Global FoodBanking Network; Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank; Jonathan Pereira, Plant Chicago; Harry Rhodes, Growing Home; Jim Slama, FamilyFarmed; Elanor Starmer, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Roger Thurow, Chicago Council on Global Affairs; Sarah Vared, ReFED; William Warshauer, TechnoServe; and Emily Zack, LUREC.
The entire event will be livestream free at FoodTank.com with backstage interviews on Facebook Live. More than 15,000 people from around the world streamed the last Food Tank Summit in Sacramento a few weeks ago.
Following the event attendees are invited to a special reception held at Eataly (43 E Ohio St, Chicago) along with a four-course dinner combined with wine-pairings specially curated by the executive chef.
For more information or to purchase tickets please click here: http://bit.ly/2eDlpyL.
WHO: The Food Tank Chicago Summit features an unprecedented collection of more than 40 different speakers, journalists, and experts from the food and agriculture field. For the complete agenda, along with purchase opportunities, please click here: http://bit.ly/2eDlpyL
WHAT: Special 1-Day Conference: Chicago, We Can Change the Food System – the 2016 Food Tank Summit followed by a special reception and dinner at Eataly.
WHEN/WHERE: The Food Tank Summit is being held at the Gleacher Center (450 North Cityfront Plaza Drive) on November 16th from 9:00AM-5:00PM and reception/dinner at Eataly (43 E Ohio St, Chicago) from 6:00PM-9:00PM.
About Food Tank
Food Tank, a global non-profit founded in Chicago, is focused on building a global community for safe, healthy, nourished eaters. We spotlight environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, obesity, and poverty and create networks of people, organizations, and content to push for food system change.

Advocates for Urban Agriculture Fall Gathering!
2016-11-15 18:00 - 21:00 | DePaul University, 1110 W. Belden Ave, Chicago, IL, United States
You’re invited to our Autumn Gathering! Join old and new friends and colleagues for:

6-6:45PM: Potluck and urban agriculture community networking: please bring a dish!
6:45-6:50PM: Welcome and AUA overview
6:50-7:10PM: Community slideshow — gardeners and farmers are invited to send 1-4 photos to info@auachicago.org by noon on 11/14 to showcase your work, as well as opportunities to get involved
7:10-8:05PM: Presentations on two current urban agriculture-related policy initiatives:

Good Food Purchasing Policy: Proposed city ordinance directing city departments and agencies to purchase food in accordance with environmental, nutritional, local, fair trade, and animal welfare standards.
Urban farm business licensing: Campaign to establish a clear and reasonable business licensing process for new urban farming businesses.

8:05-9PM: AUA “Ward Ambassador” Project workshop: develop the skills and knowledge to effectively promote these kinds of policy proposals by becoming an urban agriculture “ambassador” to your alderman. The project seeks to train advocates in each of Chicago’s 50 wards to become knowledgeable representatives supporting sustainable urban agriculture in their community.

Help us spread the word about this free and fun event: share this message with your network, visit our Facebook event page and invite your friends! See you there!

Advocates for Urban Agriculture Urban Farm Field Day!
2016-11-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Chicago FarmWorks – Heartland Alliance, 400 N. Albany, Chicago, IL, United States
Support one of East Garfield Park’s most exciting urban agriculture projects by getting your hands dirty and learning about composting benefits and best practices in action!
10-10:15: Intro and overview of Chicago FarmWorks’ history and program with Heartland Alliance Urban Agriculture Coordinator Jessica Surma
10:15-10:25: Compost walk and talk, delegate volunteer tasks, round up tools
10:25-11:40: Volunteer work turning and moving compost (and maybe planting some garlic!)
11:40-12:00: Break with hot cider and snacks
12:00-1:00: Volunteer work
Be sure to dress in layers (something you can get dirty in) and bring water bottle!
Children 10 and up are invited to join.
RSVP to info@auachicago.org by noon on Nov 11

CCGA Coordinating Meeting - Saturday November 12th 2016 9:00am at Bethel Terrace Senior Residence
2016-11-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Bethel Terrace Senior Residence, 900 W 63rd Parkway, Chicago, IL, 60621, United States
Please join us at 9:00am Saturday, November 12th, 2016 at the Bethel Terrace Senior Residence located at 900 W. 63rd Parkway. The meeting agenda includes: CCGA committee reports and update planning for the 2017 CCGA Annual Conference. Bring a snack or drink to share if you can. The coordinating meeting notes are available for you to review HERE. See you there!

FREE Compost Bins Distribution
2016-11-05 10:00 - 12:00 | Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento, Chicago, IL, 60612, United States
Would you like a free compost bin?
The CCGA Resources Committee will be giving compost bins to community gardeners this Saturday, November 5, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to Noon, on the east side of the Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento Boulevard.
There will also be a small selection of perennials for distribution. No fee or registration required. Distribution is a “first come, first served” basis.

Mulch Magic
2016-10-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Global Garden, 2974 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
We often think of gardens as needing fertilizer, compost, and water, but what about mulch?! Join us for a discussion and demonstration on how to use one of the most overlooked, but very necessary ingredients for a great garden. Mulch not only helps with weed suppression, but also helps stabilize soil temperatures, conserves moisture, and protects soil against erosion. In this class, we will show you how to choose and use different kinds of mulch for covering your soil throughout the seasons.

Glorious Garlic
2016-10-22 09:00 - 10:00 | Global Garden, 2974 W. Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Join us for a demonstration on how to plant garlic! We’ll discuss how to prevent frost heaving, nutrient and drainage requirements, the biology of growing great garlic, and choosing the best garlic variety for your recipe. Attendees will each take away a bulb of organic garlic to plant in their own garden. Class fee includes 1 bulb of seed garlic from local farm, Willow Garlic.

CCGA Bulb Distribution_ Saturday, October 15, 2016
2016-10-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave. , Chicago, IL, United States
The 2016 CCGA BULB DISTRIBUTION!

The CCGA Resources Committee will hold its annual bulb distribution on Saturday, October 15, 2016. We hope you will come and get a nice sampling of bulbs to plant now for beautiful spring flowers.
Here are the details:
When: Saturday, October 15, 2016
Check-In begins at 9:15 a.m.
The Program will begins at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Garfield Park Conservatory – Jensen Room
300 North Central Park Avenue
(One half block from the Central Park Green Line Stop. ) Note: Plenty of FREE Parking
WHO: The distribution is open to Chicago community gardens. One group of bulbs per garden. Supply is limited, so please register in advance. To register, please email to mamie@uic.edu: name of garden contact, name and address of your garden
HOW MUCH: The registration fee is $5.00 (CASH only, please).
THE PROGRAM: Angela O’Rourke of the Mozart Community has graciously agreed to share some of her garden group’s experiences. Then we will distribute the bulbs to registrants and Mattie Wilson of Garfield Park Conservatory will chat with us about bulbs and give a bulb planting demonstration, concluding at 11:00 a.m.
Hope to see you there!
Follow CCGA on Facebook

Stars, Stories, and S’More
2016-10-01 17:30 - 20:30 | Kilbourn Park Organic Greenhouse, 3501 N. Kilbourn, Chicago, IL, 60641, United States
Kilbourn Park’s Organic Greenhouse is hosting a great event on Oct. 1st from 5:30-8:30pm. Come on out and partake in celebrating the start of Autumn and loving the outdoors. This is the program for the evening.
5:30-7:30pm – Campfire Fun!
Join us around the campfire. There will be story telling, and plenty of S’Mores (bring your own chocolate and graham crackers) We will provide the marshmallows.
7:30-8:30pm – Scopes in the City
Adler astronomers and educators are bringing the museum and the Universe a little closer to you!
With ‘Scopes in the City, Adler astronomers and staff lead free telescope observing programs in Chicago neighborhoods. Depending on the dates, times and locations of the ‘Scopes in the City events, attendees may be able to observe the Sun, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and more!
For more information check out the events page on the Chicago Park District’s website.
https://apm.activecommunities.com/chicagoparkdistrict/Activity_Search/186683

Building Healthy Soil
2016-10-01 10:00 - 12:00 | IL
Every gardener knows that healthy soil is the best investment you can make, for both your garden and the natural environment. Join us for a workshop on building healthy soil in your garden, hosted by Nance Klehm. This event is free, but registration is required. Please contact communitygardens@chicagoparkdistrict.com to reserve your seat.

Another Perennial Distribution_Friday, September 30, 2016
2016-09-30 11:00 - 14:00 | New Horizons Community Garden, 401 S. Central Park, Chicago, IL, 60624, United States
ANOTHER PERENNIAL DISTRIBUTION

The CCGA Resources Committee will hold the final big perennial distribution of 2016

TO PRE-REGISTER, EMAIL THE FOLLOWING TO mamie@uic.edu :
1)Name of Contact, 2) Name of Garden, 3) Address/Location of Garden
Here are the details:
When: Friday, September 30, 2016
Sign-In begins at 11:00 a.m. – Distribution begins at 11:30 a.m.
Where: New Horizons Community Garden
401 South Central Park
(Corner of Central Park & Van Buren, just north of the Eisenhower Expressway.)
WHO: All Chicago Community Gardens are welcome to send a representative to pick up plants.
HOW MUCH: $5.00 Registration Fee
(CASH, please – no credit cards) per community garden.
One grouping of plants per community garden.
WHAT: The esteemed landscape firm Scott Byron & Company is collecting donations of plant material from Chicago area growers/businesses and will be trucking the material to the site. There will be a big assortment of perennials, and possibly shrubs and small trees as well. Also, an anonymous donor is contributing 100+ native perennials rarely provided through distributions.
QUESTIONS: Contact Mamie at mamie@uic.edu.
On the day of distribution: Call Mamie at 708-990-7939 to see if there are still plants available.
WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
We need volunteers to sort and distribute the plants.
First Shift: 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. – Second Shift: 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please email Ellen Newcomer at ecnewcomer334@gmail.com if you would like to volunteer.
Thanks, everyone!
Follow CCGA on Facebook to see how well perennials are thriving in various gardens!
(And continue to follow CCGA Facebook for an additional slideshow featuring select perennials to be distributed on September 30.)

Community Garden Workshop
2016-09-27 06:30 - 20:30 | Little Village – La Villita Church, 2300 S. Millard, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
Little Village:
La Villita Church
2300 S. Millard
Chicago, IL 60623
Sept. 27 6:30pm to 8:30pm, Organizing your Community Garden
Join us to learn how to organize all aspects of the garden from recruiting members and gaining supporters to practical ways to self organize including using apps to keep track of projects. We will also work together to create a design map for your site. Materials and refreshments will be provided
The fee is $15 for the workshop
For more info contact us as 312-863-6255 or gardens@openlands.org
www.openlands.org/gardenkeepers

Composting 101
2016-09-17 10:00 - 11:00 | IL
To gardeners, compost is considered “black gold” because of its many benefits in the garden. Compost is a great material for garden soil. Learn all about how to start and maintain healthy compost in your garden with the Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. For more information, please contact communitygardens@chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Green and Growing: A Speaker Series - Urban Composting and Healthy Soils
2016-09-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Sulzer Regional Library, 4455 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL, 60625, United States
Tuesday, September 13 at 7pm – Urban Composting and Healthy Soils
Speaker: Bill Shores, founder of Urban Edible and gardener for the Rick Bayless restaurants Topolobampo, Xoco, and Frontera Grill

Windy City Harvest 14 Week Certificates!
2016-09-02 08:00 - 17:00 | IL
This fall, Windy City Harvest will be offering four 14 week programs. All courses are based out of the Arturo Velasquez Institute at 2800 S Western Ave, but may include field trips to other sites.
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, September 10 through December 17
* Aquaponic Production
* Season Extension
* Edible Landscaping and Rooftop Farming
Monday, Wednesday, 6pm to 8pm, September 12 through December 14
* Business and Entrepreneurship for Local Foods – Successful completion if the Business Course and the Apprenticeship program are pre-requisites to applying for an Incubator Plot at Legends Farm
For full course descriptions and links to register, please visit our website: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/apprenticeship/classes
Please feel free to reach out to me directly with questions.
Thank you!
Kate Gannon, LSW
Windy City Harvest Program Support
kgannon@chicagobotanic.org<mailto:kgannon@chicagobotanic.org>
847-636-7632
http://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture

Seed Saving Workshop
2016-09-01 18:00 - 19:00 | IL
The Ark of Taste is a living catalog of delicious and distinctive foods facing extinction. By identifying and championing these foods we keep them in production and on our plates. Join Slow Food members in learning about saving these valuable heirloom seeds and stay for a tasting! For more information, please contact communitygardens@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
