Workshops & Events

Harvest Fest 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! 

Scheduled Activities

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!