Big Bowl is also introducing Illinois wines to their wine list this year.

We're grateful for the support from Big Bowl, and excited that Illinois wines will be getting more table-time in the city!

Email us at info AT growinghomeinc.org DOT com if you'd like help finding a ride share out to the Les Brown Memorial Farm.

Field Training Specialist Breanne Heath sent over this photo from the Wood Street Urban Farm today, mentioning, "Big thanks to Melvin for taking the initiative to level the dirt after we removed the weeds, trash and concrete."

There's an exciting article in today's "Good Eating" section of the Chicago Tribune focusing on following Growing Home's tomatoes from seed to table.

There's even a photo gallery timeline! If you have the chance to pick up a paper copy, look for the beautiful center spread in the "Good Eating" section.

These photos courtesy Chicago Tribune/Zbigniew Bzdak.

Foresight Design Initiative, helmed by Executive Director Peter Nicholson, is a design group that "seeks to improve and sustain the quality of life in the urban environment through smart design, without sacrificing the needs of future generations." Foresight's Sustainovate Immersion Program visited the Wood Street Urban Farm last week and blogged about it here.

Last month, Growing Home hosted a group of individuals from the 4th Annual Community Gathernig of the Society for Organizational Learning Education Partnership. As part of one of SoL Ed Parternship's "Learning Journeys" a group visited Growing Home as well as some of the other great agricultural programs going on in Chicago.

My big brother was full of life, he was kind, respectful and lived everyday to the fullest.  He kept a smile on my face and always had friends and family laughing.  He loved his 3 beautiful daughters endlessly.  He showed them the true meaning of a great dad.  He will be missed dearly; his conversations, great sense of humor, laid back personality, his many talents (from rapping to basketball) and his stylish clothing and shoes.  Even though I have to face the fact he’s gone, I will forever cherish the memories we had and the loved we shared. 

Hello, my name is Abraham Hollins and I have been a Growing Home interns for about 3 months now.  I love what Growing Home has personally done for me and the other interns.  Growing Home teaches us about organic farming, job training skills, and promoting healthy eating. 

Growing Home gave us interns our own garden plot.  Some of the produce I have in my plot is basil, parsley, cucumber, dill, corn, and watermelon. 

Breanne Heath, Growing Home's Field Training Specialst, took this picture of Abraham's corn, and noted "It's beautiful. And what's even more amazing is that Abraham transplanted it, instead of direct-seeding. Tim (Urban Farms Manager) and I are amazed that it worked!"

On Thursdays we prepare for our farm stand at the Englewood Farmers’ Market located at 63^rd and Union.  The market runs between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. This area is mostly frequented by college students (from Kennedy King College) and senior citizens.  Being located in front of one of the City’s Health Department Branches there are also young mothers with children.

My job there started with setting up the stand, displaying our fresh organic produce, putting on my best smile and focusing on the need for health eating.  I also give tips on different ways that the produce can be prepared at meal time.  This past Thursday, our stock consisted collard greens, Swiss chard, kale (purple and green), green tomatoes and fresh parsley and basil and dried oregano. 

The sales were slow but all the effort was rewarding because not only did we receive requests for certain produce, I personally had a part in the planting, maintenance and harvesting of our organic produce at Growing Home. 

A gallery of photos from last week's Friday harvest (taken by our Executive Director Harry) can be found here.

Meet staff and program interns, get a tour of the farm, enjoy workshops and cooking demos for the whole family, and purchase fresh produce!

Last week Jumaani Bates and I were honored to speak at WhyHunger’s 35^th Anniversary Celebration in NY. The other highlighted honorees were Pete Seeger and Ashford and Simpson.

This was a great opportunity for us to share our story outside of the Chicago context. It was great to hear all the support and admiration for all we have accomplished. In my speech I quoted our founder, Les Brown, who is never far from my heart, and talked about the changes we have made in people’s lives. I was surprised when my talk was interrupted by applause several times. Jumaani shared his own story, and the adversities that he has overcome. It really was a great moment for Growing Home.

It was an evening full of music, and few speeches. It was a highlight for me to share the stage with and sit next to Pete Seeger, one of my all-time favorite singers and activists. Pete said recently, “Normally I’m against big things. I think the world will be saved by millions of small things.” I believe that this is our philosophy at Growing Home, changing the world one person and one seedling at a time.

It was very exciting to hear Ashford and Simpson, Tom Chapin, Jen Chapin, and all the other fabulous musicians. Everyone was excited when Roberta Flack showed up unexpectedly.

Music is truly a great way to inspire people, and WhyHunger does a great job at utilizing this medium to get its message across. It was great to meet and get to know the staff from this amazing organization that is doing such great work. I look forward to hosting them in Chicago.

-Harry Rhodes, Executive Director

Thanks to Diane Bonodareff for letting us post her photos! You can see more pictures from the evening here.