Chicago Community Gardeners Association

Garden Walk - Westchester
2025-07-19 09:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | IL
The 7th annual Westchester Garden Walk, set for Saturday, July 19 from 9am – 2pm, features 11 beautiful gardens, including a prairie-style native garden at the public library, a flourishing native plant garden in the park next to the town fountain, and 9 lovely gardens at homes in Westchester. This year’s expanded garden walk coincides with the village’s centennial celebration. Proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Westchester Food Pantry. For more information visit grassrootsgardengroup.org where advance tickets are on sale now.
Westchester Garden Walk Poster (003)

Buena Blooms for Brennemann
2025-07-20 12:00 - 17:00 | Brennemann Elementary School, 4251 N Clarendon, Chicago, IL, 60613, United States
This self-guided tour invites you to view some of the most beautiful gardens in our historic community. Support Friends of Brennemann and enjoy a memorable day, strolling through the heart of Buena Park. All proceeds from Buena Blooms for Brennemann will benefit Friends of Brennemann, a 501C-3 dedicated to supporting our local Chicago public elementary school. Tickets are $30 each in advance, $40 at the door and include wine and refreshments afterwards at Haymarket House where there will be a silent auction with an incredible array of items. Gardens are open on Sunday, July 20th from 12-3pm. Refreshments and Silent Auction at Haymarket House (800 W Buena) from 2-5pm.

Bilingual Soil Health Field Day - Depaul College Prep
2025-07-23 16:30 - 18:30 | Depaul College Prep, 3333 N Rockwell, Chicago, IL, United States
Wednesday July 23, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
DePaul College Prep High School
3333 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60618
Register at go.illinois.edu/FieldDayJuly23
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 soil health. This event and program is part one of a two-part series focused on Bilingual Soil Health, with Spanish interpretation available.
Extension educators, along with Farmer David Toledo will discuss soil stewardship and conservation practices implemented by Contemporary Farmer, Inc. at DePaul College Prep. 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 related to soil health that are available to small scale urban growers will also be discussed.
Please join us for the other field days in this series:
July 30: LaVillita 5 – 7 PM (Billingual Soil Health) Little Village Chicago
August 20: Growing Home 5-7 PM (Organic Certification Cost Share), Englewood, Chicago
Sept 16: The Talking Farm 5-7 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs) Skokie
October 14: We Sow We Grow 4:30-6:30 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs) West Pullman, Chicago

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jesse Schaffer at jschaff@illinois.edu or 312-585-9128

Summer Wine Fest at Lincoln Park Zoo
2025-07-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Lincoln Park Zoo, Cannon Dr. at Fullerton Parkway, Chicago, IL, 60614, United States
Get ready to stroll through lush gardens with a glass of fine wine at Lincoln Park Zoo’s annual Summer Wine Fest! This 21+ urban garden party promises to be a memorable summer evening at the zoo with garden tours of the only accredited herbaceous hibiscus collection in the U.S., samples of 50+ varietals from 20 wineries, photo ops, and live music.
All tickets include:

Guided garden tours with Lincoln Park Zoo’s horticulture experts
Twenty tastings from leading winemaking regions
New this year: 3-ounce Lincoln Park Zoo souvenir tasting cup
Free rides on the Endangered Species Carousel
Live music on Main Mall
Lawn games and outdoor activities
Food for purchase at zoo restaurants

Tour with the experts: Did you know that Lincoln Park Zoo is also an accredited botanical garden? The zoo is home to the only accredited herbaceous perennial hibiscus collection in the United States, a showcase of more than 100 taxa of hybrids and cultivars of four native North American species. Be sure to join the zoo’s horticulture experts during Summer Wine Fest for a guided tour to learn more about these floral treasures.
New this year: Add a stunning event-exclusive hibiscus print to your ticket! A collaboration between zoo horticulturists and illustrators, this limited-run print is a beautiful summertime Chicago memento that features a variety of hibiscus you can find in Lincoln Park Zoo’s nationally recognized collection. There are only 100 prints available, so grab yours before they sell out! The 18×24” print will be rolled into protective sleeves and is available for pick-up only at Summer Wine Fest.

Marquette Park Stewardship Day
2025-07-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Marquette Park Field House, 6743 S Kedzie, Chicago, IL, 60629, United States
Where: Meet behind Marquette Park Field House
6743 S Kedzie, Chicago, IL
What: Check in and water newly established Native plants, learn how to prune a tree, light clean up around the trails.
When: Saturday, July 26th, 10 AM-12PM

Bilingual Soil Health Field Day - Little Village
2025-07-30 17:00 - 19:00 | La Villita Farm, 3108 S Albany Ave, Chicago, IL, 60623, United States
July 30, 2025, 5 – 7 pm
La Villita Park, 3108 S Albany Ave, Chicago, IL 60623
Register at go.illinois.edu/FieldDayJuly30
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 two bilingual field days focused on soil health. This event and program is part one of a two-part series presented in English, with Spanish interpretation available. The first Bilingual Soil Health field day (focused on raised beds) will be hosted by Contemporary Farmer at DePaul College Prep on July 23rd from 4:30-6:30pm. You can register for that Field Day at go.illinois.edu/FieldDayJuly23
Extension educators, along with Farmers Nateo, Viviana, and others will discuss soil stewardship and conservation practices implemented at The La Villita Community 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 related to soil health that are available to small scale urban growers will also be discussed.
Save the Dates for the other field days this year:
July 23: Contemporary Farmer 4:30-6:30 PM (Bilingual Soil Health)
August 20: Growing Home 5-7 PM (Organic Certification Cost Share)
Sept 16: The Talking Farm 5-7 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs)
October 14: We Sow We Grow 4:30-6:30 PM (Navigating FSA & NRCS Programs)

Night Market at Edna White - Morgan Park
2025-07-31 18:00 - 21:00 | 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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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 | IL
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
