Urban Growers Collective host the 2nd Annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 26th at the South Chicago Farm
Located at 9001 S. Mackinaw (Clara D. Schafer Park)
Harvest Fest is a celebration of ancestral wisdom, creative expression, and connection to the land and community. Free and welcoming to people of all ages, this event offers diverse and enriching activities to all in attendance.
Urban Growers Collective (UGC) is a Black and woman-run urban agriculture and community food systems non-profit that has been working with community partners to cultivate nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing, and creativity for over 20 years. These values are the cornerstone of all UGC’s programs, and on full display during the annual Harvest Fest.
Harvest Fest marks the transition from growing season to winter preparation. UGC is thrilled to invite the community to a series of enriching events on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at their South Chicago Farm. Through a celebration of ancestral wisdom, herbal traditions, and ecological restoration, UGC continues its commitment to reconnecting people with the land, community, and cultural heritage.
Itinerary
Youth and Staff led Tours will happen throughout the day, see below. We also invite you to sign up for one of the workshops in the afternoon. Come and enjoy!
10:30A - 11:00A - Morning Farm Tour - Tour UGC’s primary vegetable production and programming site.
11:00A - 1:00P - Cooking Demonstration with Small Habits Matter - Celebrate soup season with Small Habits Matter, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing knowledge…
11:00A - 11:30 - Youth Led Haunted Tour - The Farm Tour takes a spooky turn when led by the South Chicago Youth Corps participants… Keep your eyes peeled for any surprises…
11:00A- 1:00P - Button Making Station - Create your own button alongside the Roosevelt Youth Corps participants.
11:00A - 1:00P - Print Making Station - Create your own stationary items (cards, stamps, etc) alongside the Roosevelt Youth Corps participants.
11:00A - 12:15P - Herbal Liniments Workshop* - Liniments are oils or lotions used to address pain or stiffness in the body. Create your own under the guidance of the Lead Herbalism Conductor, Kim Crutcher. Click HERE to sign up!
11:00A - 12:00P - Native Plants and Seed Rematriation* - Come tour an area of UGC dedicated to the rematriation of plants native to the Calumet River region, managed by Blake Lenoir. Click HERE to sign up!
12:15P - 12:45 Gratitude Speeches - Representatives from UGC and partnering organizations will welcome Harvest Fest attendees, share gratitude for 2024, and announce visions for 2025.
12:30P - 1:00P - Youth Led Haunted Tour - The Farm Tour takes a spooky turn when led by the South Chicago Youth Corps participants… Keep your eyes peeled for any surprises…
1:00P - 1:30P - Afternoon Farm Tour - Tour UGC’s primary vegetable production and programming site.
12:45P - 3:00P - The Power of Our Ancestors and Re(Membrance)* - Join us for a collective tribute to the ancestors of the land and the traditions of the harvest season from throughout the diaspora. Click HERE to sign up!
1:30P - 4:00P - Immersive Herbal Garden Sensory Walks - Join us in our medicinal & culinary herb garden to share knowledge, stories, and folklore regarding growing and working with herbs. Facilitated by the Herbal Apprentices.
1:00P - 2:00P - Tasting Hour and Arts Intervention with At Stake - with At Stake, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing equitable access, supporting the BlueGreen Economy, and stimulating community wealth
2:30P - 3:00P - Youth Led Haunted Tour - The Farm Tour takes a spooky turn when led by the South Chicago Youth Corps participants… Keep your eyes peeled for any surprises…
All Day Activities
Farm Stand - UGC’s last farm stand of the season will have an abundance of produce available to purchase. We accept cash, debit, credit, and EBT. We also provide Link Match through LinkUp Illinois and accept Farmers Market Coupons extended to senior citizens and WIC recipients.
Apple Tasting Contest - Taste different varieties of apples and cast your vote for your favorite.
Herb Garni Station - Make your own bouquet of herbs for culinary or smudging use.
S’mores Station - Make s’more in our Healing Circle’s fire pit.
Art Table - This mixed arts table is the perfect place to decorate a pumpkin, paint a gourd, or create a quick mask for Halloween.
Selfie Station - Take a photo with your friends and family. Use the hashtag #UGCHarvestFest to share on instagram.
Fun and Games - Come play hopscotch, corn hole, tag, and more!
Scavenger Bingo! - This Bingo Board is a great way to meet explore all the activities and connections at Harvest Fest. Created by the Community Food Navigator, a hub for knowledge in a growing community.
Feed the Goats - Stop by the goat pen to give the little ladies a sweet treat.
The Maze in Chicago* - Join the community ritual seeding phase of the public art installation of The Maze - The People Want the Fall of the Regime By Moataz Nasr
Kufic Arabic calligraphy
Previously installed in Europe, multiple locations, 2011 - 2013 after the fall of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
The Maze (2011-2013) is a rye grass maze created by Nasr in various public spaces in and outside Europe. By using the Kufic, the language in which it was transcribed the Koran, then a sacred language, Nasr writes the popular slogan shouted in 2011 in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, "El Shaab yurid isqaat el nizam" (The People want the fall of the regime) giving in this way to the civil liberty a sacred dimension. The work has different reading levels: the disorientation after the moment of euphoria due to the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011 symbolized by the labyrinth, the distinction between who is inside and who is outside the maze, that is, between those who participate and those who prefer to be spectators, the vulnerability of our freedom never fully acquired and consolidated (the grass will grow and the demands of the people will be deleted from the grass fallow), the sanctity of civil rights and Laity.
The Maze designed by artist Moataz Nasr and curated by Matt Witkovsky, Erika Allen with installation expertise from Sarah Hansen, Darion Crawford, Mykele “Deville” Callicutt and UGC Farm staff. Documentation film by Eric Perez. Read more about Moataz Nasr HERE.
Click HERE to sign up!