Windy City Harvest

Windy City Harvest Food, Health and Jobs The Chicago Botanic Garden’s urban agriculture program builds resilient & sustainable communities through food, health, and jobs.

Learn more at www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture.

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
01/10/2025

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

✨ This week’s spotlight: Arturo Velasquez Institute, Windy City Harvest's main campus for our Apprenticeship Program!

🌾 Size: ⅛-acre of production space

🏡 Features:
A greenhouse, hoophouse, and outdoor growing beds
A headhouse to support growing operations
Office space and an instructional classroom

🌟 History: Established in 2009 as part of our partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago

💡 Fun fact: This site is where future urban farmers take root, learn the craft, and grow into leaders of sustainable agriculture!

🌱✨ Crop Planning: The Key to Urban Farming Success!It might be cold outside, but our growers are busy laying the groundw...
01/08/2025

🌱✨ Crop Planning: The Key to Urban Farming Success!

It might be cold outside, but our growers are busy laying the groundwork for next season’s harvest!

💪 Crop planning is in full swing, and it’s the key to every thriving urban farm.

🥬A well-designed crop plan is more than just a schedule—it’s a roadmap to success! From choosing climate-friendly crops to making the most of every square foot, planning now means more food, less waste, and greater sustainability 🌍💚

Whether you’re growing on a rooftop, in a backyard, or at a community garden, thoughtful crop planning turns cold-weather downtime into opportunities. 🌟

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
01/03/2025

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

✨ This week’s spotlight: Legends Farm, Windy City Harvest's largest farm site!

🌾 Size: Over 2 acres

🏡 Features:
8 incubator plots & ⅛-acre raised beds
A 40-foot wash-pack station
A community allotment garden with 35 raised beds for local residents

🌟 History: Built in 2013 on the site of the former Robert Taylor housing complex, with support from USDA-NIFA and Brinshore-Michaels

💡 Fun fact: This site empowers graduates of our Apprenticeship program to run their own small farm businesses!

🌱💧Did you know? Aquaponic lettuce isn’t just fresh and delicious—it’s a sustainable game-changer. Using a system that co...
12/31/2024

🌱💧Did you know? Aquaponic lettuce isn’t just fresh and delicious—it’s a sustainable game-changer. Using a system that combines fish farming and hydroponics, it grows year-round—even in the coldest winter months—providing consistent access to nutritious, fresh produce no matter the season. ❄️🌿 With 90% less water than traditional farming, aquaponics brings fresh, local greens to neighborhoods where healthy options are limited, helping build stronger, healthier communities 🐟

Windy City Harvest’s 2024 Wrapped is here! 🌱 This year, we didn’t just vibe—we THRIVED. 💚
12/19/2024

Windy City Harvest’s 2024 Wrapped is here! 🌱 This year, we didn’t just vibe—we THRIVED. 💚

📢 We're Hiring: Facilities Manager at Windy City Harvest!Are you a pro at managing shared-use facilities and passionate ...
12/16/2024

📢 We're Hiring: Facilities Manager at Windy City Harvest!

Are you a pro at managing shared-use facilities and passionate about urban agriculture? Join our team! You'll oversee the operational facilities across 10 sites, manage our vehicle fleet, maintain tools and equipment, and support the production of fresh produce.

Key Responsibilities:
🔧 Manage facilities, repairs, and irrigation systems.
📦 Oversee equipment protocols, vendor contracts, and tool inventories.
🚛 Lead WCH vehicle fleet management and support produce distribution.
🌍 Collaborate with growers and community partners.

This full-time, year-round role is perfect for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments and is ready to make a meaningful impact in urban agriculture.

Apply at Chicagobotanic.org/jobs

🎄 Happy Holidays from all of us at Windy City Harvest! 🎁Please note: The Farm on Ogden Market will have special holiday ...
12/16/2024

🎄 Happy Holidays from all of us at Windy City Harvest! 🎁

Please note: The Farm on Ogden Market will have special holiday hours. Check out the updated schedule below. We hope to see you there! 🌟

The Windy City Harvest Corps program employs 30-40 justice-involved individuals and veterans each year with full-time, p...
12/13/2024

The Windy City Harvest Corps program employs 30-40 justice-involved individuals and veterans each year with full-time, paid transitional jobs—all while providing mentorship and life-changing opportunities. Our mission? To help participants thrive in full-time, long-term careers.

We’re searching for Field Supervisors who bring energy, leadership, and compassion to the team. Please consider applying if you’re ready to:

✅ Train and work side-by-side with participants in hands-on outdoor environments
✅ Inspire adults re-entering the workforce with guidance and mentorship
✅ Lead by example, enforcing workplace standards with care and confidence

This full-time, year-round position offers the chance to make a real impact while growing your career. Ready to help cultivate brighter futures? 🌟

📍 Apply now: www.Chicagobotanic.org/jobs

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
12/12/2024

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

✨ This week’s spotlight: McCormick Place Rooftop Farm 🌇

🏡 Size: 30,000 square feet of sustainable magic!
🌱 What’s growing? Rooftop-friendly veggies, native fruits, herbs, hops, and edible flowers—thriving since 2013.
🍺 Fun Fact: The hops grown here are key ingredients in McCormick Place’s very own craft beer: Everyday Ale!

Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a way to honor our shared humanity and diverse traditions.This week at the Farm ...
12/11/2024

Food is more than just nourishment—it’s a way to honor our shared humanity and diverse traditions.

This week at the Farm on Ogden, Chef Ali X () joined our Youth Farmers to create a beloved Moroccan dish: Kefta Tajine. This traditional dish features spiced ground meatballs simmered in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce. We explored the vibrant flavors of Moroccan cuisine while celebrating the power of food to bring us together.

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
12/05/2024

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

✨ This week’s spotlight: Rodeo Farm!

🌾 Size: 2 acres of lush production
🏡 Features: A hoophouse, buzzing beehives, and a native seed conservation project
🤠 Fun fact: It’s right next to a real-life rodeo—yee-haw!

12/03/2024

Take a moment to support communities that lack access to fresh fruits and vegetables. On , your donation to the Garden supports programming that helps provide answers to address food insecurity and management of chronic health conditions. Your contribution, no matter the amount, can make a significant difference in improving access to fresh produce in the Greater Chicago area.

Happy Turkey Day from all of us at Windy City Harvest! 🦃🍂Today, we’re sending a big shoutout to our amazing Youth Farmer...
11/28/2024

Happy Turkey Day from all of us at Windy City Harvest! 🦃🍂

Today, we’re sending a big shoutout to our amazing Youth Farmers, who bring their A-game to the kitchen. 🧑‍🍳✨ Let their creativity inspire you to whip up something incredible as you don your chef’s hat and get cooking! 🥧🍴

Wait, is that a fluffy animal? Nope, it’s a Lion’s Mane Mushroom! 🦁🍄Our Youth Farmers have been diving deep into the fas...
11/26/2024

Wait, is that a fluffy animal? Nope, it’s a Lion’s Mane Mushroom! 🦁🍄

Our Youth Farmers have been diving deep into the fascinating world of fungi and even enjoyed a hands-on workshop with our in-house mycology expert last week. Learning and growing, one mushroom at a time! 🌱✨

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
11/21/2024

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the West and South Sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

Today's feature: PCC Austin Farm!

A unique partnership between and Windy City Harvest, PCC Austin Farm has eight allotment beds, a production bed, hoophouse, washpack station, community gathering space, and farm stand.

As a community-centered space, it has been a treasured asset in the Austin neighborhood for the past decade ❤️

The Farm on Ogden Market will have adjusted hours during the week of Thanksgiving. Be sure to visit us on Tuesday, 11/26...
11/20/2024

The Farm on Ogden Market will have adjusted hours during the week of Thanksgiving.

Be sure to visit us on Tuesday, 11/26 for great deals on last-minute Thanksgiving items!

Happy Turkey Day from all of us at Windy City Harvest! 🦃🍂

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾Our 10 farm sites across the west and south sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and ...
11/16/2024

Farm Feature 🧑🏽‍🌾

Our 10 farm sites across the west and south sides of Chicago each offer unique spaces for learning and growing 🌱

Today's feature: our North Lawndale Youth Farm!

Established in 2005, the farm served as the inspiration for expanding urban agriculture opportunities in North Lawndale. Today, all the produce grown at the North Lawndale Youth Farm is sold at the Farm on Ogden Market right next door!

Windy City Harvest staff enjoyed a dazzling night out at the Lightscape Employee Friends & Family Night at the main camp...
11/15/2024

Windy City Harvest staff enjoyed a dazzling night out at the Lightscape Employee Friends & Family Night at the main campus. A little rain couldn't dampen the ✨magic✨ that is Lightscape!

Lightscape opens to the public on Friday, 11/15. Don't miss out on this one of a kind, holiday celebration! Get your tickets here: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/lightscape

Address

3555 Ogden
Chicago, IL
60623

Opening Hours

Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+18478356807

Website

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Are you passionate about sustainable urban agriculture and eager to train the next generation of farmers in Chicago? Join us at Windy City Harvest! In partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago, our Apprenticeship program provides nine months of immersive, hands-on technical training to empower students to launch successful careers in sustainable agriculture. As the Apprenticeship Instructor, you’ll be instrumental in shaping our students’ journeys. You’ll oversee student-led farm operations at the Arturo Velasquez Institute, a vibrant 1/8-acre site featuring raised beds, a hoophouse, and a greenhouse. Through teaching, hands-on training, and career guidance, you’ll be a mentor and leader, helping students unlock their potential in the growing field of urban agriculture. If you bring deep expertise in sustainable agriculture, a commitment to workforce development, and a passion for education, we’d love to meet you. Help us cultivate the future of urban farming! For more information or to apply, please visit www.chicagobotanic.org/jobs

This week, our staff came together to create an ofrenda (altar) at the Farm on Ogden to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and honor the memory of our loved ones ❤️ Learn more about el Día de los Muertos here: https://www.history.com/topics/halloween/day-of-the-dead

Pupusa Making
Pupusa Making

To close out National Hispanic Heritage Month, we present to you a slightly ✨chaotic ✨ pupusa cooking demo led by our very own Urban Agriculture Educator Paola! #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth #OrgulloHispano #OrgulloLatino

Windy City Harvest Celebra el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana
Windy City Harvest Celebra el Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana

Este Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana, celebramos la comida como cultura ❤️🍲 #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth #OrgulloHispano #orgullolatino

Windy City Harvest Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
Windy City Harvest Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

This National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating food as culture ❤️🍲 #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinxHeritageMonth #OrgulloHispano #OrgulloLatino

Meet Soraya and Jarvi of Otter Oaks Farm! Otter Oaks is part of Windy City Harvest's (WCH) Farm Incubator Program which supports beginner farmers through land access, technical and financial readiness training, mentorship, and access to distribution channels. With the support of The Conservation Fund , Otter Oaks will be expanding their business, moving from their ¼ acre communal plot at WCH's Legends Farm to a 43-acre farm in McHenry County! We are absolutely thrilled for Otter Oaks and their impressive growth after just three years in the Incubator Program! Learn more about WCH's rising incubators and The Conservation Fund's #FarmsFund at the links below⬇️⬇️⬇️ https://www.chicagobotanic.org/urbanagriculture/careers/incubator https://www.conservationfund.org/our-work/working-farms-fund

What? Nothing to see here…just normal items on normal desks at a normal workplace.

🚨 PRODUCE OF THE WEEK 🚨 With extra warm weather comes an absurd amount of zucchini! Our team has harvested more than 250 pounds of zucchini this week🫨 Smaller zucchini are best for salads, dinner side dishes, and pastas, while a larger zucchini can be used to make some killer zucchini bread! Grab yours at the Farm on Ogden Market at 3555 W. Ogden Ave 11am-5pm, Wednesday through Saturday.

Stop by the Farm on Ogden May 11th for our annual Spring Sprout Plant Sale! We will have a variety of plants for purchase, live music, and food! Doors open at 11am. See you there! #farmonogden #plantsale #chicago

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