Urban Farming in Chicago

The sun shown down on us all that Sunday as long-needed rain loomed on the western horizon. The urban farm at God's Harbor for All Souls church (4100 Maple Ave. Matteson, IL) attracted us all in community to celebrate the land, the harvest, honest work and all best blessings.

Germinating in Chicago's south suburbs, an urban farming revolution is growing, altering land use patterns, changing the way people connect themselves to their food and providing opportunities for those who want a better life. In Matteson - and soon to be Blue Island and other municipalities - CEDA (Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County) is partnering with public and private entities to create sustainability in otherly-stable communities.

At God's Harbor for All Souls, it happens that Sunday September 20 would not only feature services and sermons indoors but would also be host to a special outdoor radio broadcast by WCPT's Mike Nowak. As Mike interviewed Manuel and Leslie Applewhite -- the onsite organizers of the farm project -- and others throughout his hour-long show, churchgoers, radio listeners and avid gardeners feasted on fresh foods while overlooking the bevy of beets, cabbages, peppers and greens growing in the garden behind.

Land reclaimed from untended wild brush, this urban farm was literally recovered from waste. Rife with bushes, tree-lets, brush and brambles, a concerted manual effort was required to strip away the detritus and dig out the stumps. Imported organic matter enriched the soil. A heaping helping of love, tenderness and intensive weeding has produced a significant harvest.

The tip of an emerging iceberg, this farm project shows the beginning of the potential of urban farming. In Chicago and suburbs lie fantastic fathoms of fallow land; witness the rubble in the inner city decay or the non-use in less developed ex-urban areas. People want to live productive lives but have no job options available.

Some envision opportunities to propagate farms and orchards in the shadows of Chicago's skyscrapers. Neighborhood and regional composting - no longer banned in the state-- could fuel the fire. Some neighborhoods, block upon block -- one building stands like an only tooth in a forgotten smile - with legions hanging out upon the lone stoop, could be transformed into vibrant growing communities, a people with a purpose. The potential energy is tremendous.

An inspiration for many, Pete Seeger wrote peaceful music that fostered a revolution. Inch by inch, row by row, block by block people are taking back their city and getting back to the land. Collectively we are learning the importance of sustainability and local productivity.

Further, it is highly documented that gardening engenders peace and paying forward. Cook County Jail's program for non-violent offenders introduces them to a master gardener course and has shown that they not only don't recidivate as much, they will also grow to give back to their communities once they have been released from custody.

Organizations of all stripes are coming together; through not-for-profits, municipalities, schools and the private sector, the future is bright and the possibilities nearly endless. Connect with or become a local urban farm advocate to advance the cause.

The era of urban farming in Chicago has dawned.