Translating Sustainable Agriculture to the Backyard Garden in Metropolitan Chicago

BROAD-BASED INITIATIVES
Fruit & Vegetable Garden interpretation – Interpretation took two forms: 1) hand-written signs and 2) an intern. The chalkboard-like signs provided sustainable gardening tips and practical information for visitors to Fruit & Vegetable Garden. Most of the signs were changed seasonally; some were applicable to the entire growing season. Each season brought a new focus, such as summer themes of water conservation, companion planting, cover cropping, and urban/suburban composting. Other topics included promoting biodiversity, non-synthetic fertilizers, crop rotation, integrated pest management, simple seasonal extension techniques like building cold frames, and much more. This signage also interpreted the new solar-powered irrigation system parts and the native pollinator habitats (bats, bees) that were purchased with SARE funds, along with already existing items (rain barrels, composters, etc.). These pieces provided practical examples for homeowners to implement sustainable devices in their own yards. Because of the new solar-powered system, one farmers’ market demonstration focused on the basics of solar power for homeowners and was met with enthusiasm by participants. Additional opportunities to teach people in the setting of this garden took the form of special themed festival—including Heirloom Tomato Weekend and Herb Garden Weekend—where farmer-led demonstrations taught visitors about companion planting, seed saving, organic tomato growing tips, and other sessions. A winter seed swap with accompanying lecture and workshop also garnered much interest. The special programs provided opportunities for rural farmers to sell their products to more informed consumers.

Fruit & Vegetable Garden was also interpreted by Windy City Harvest interns; for ten summer weeks these participant in the Garden’s urban agriculture training program assisted in the garden, implemented mini-demonstrations, and served as knowledge bases for visitors. In 2011 two interns filled this role, and in 2012 one intern worked in the garden. Demos in 2011 related to integrated pest management, companion planting, composting, cover cropping, and growing berries. In 2012 the intern wore an “ask me a question” button to encourage engagement. She addressed questions ranging in topic from using soapy water to catch cucumber beetles, tomato plant troubleshooting, bee hives, farmers’ markets, and plant identification to drought effects and amelioration. Because in 2012 the intern spoke Spanish, she was able to articulate these answers to Spanish-speaking visitors as well, broadening the audience reached.

While the Fruit & Vegetable Garden intern engaged people on Garden grounds, two additional interns worked in the city. One worked at the newly developed mixed-income Legends Housing (former site of public housing) to teach residents about organic farming and help them plant and maintain a community plot. Her enthusiasm and dedication encouraged families with no experience in gardening to take on growing their own vegetables using sustainable techniques that are the Chicago Botanic Garden’s standard. The second intern worked at the Pilsen farmers’ market, prepared produce boxes for Women, Infant, and Children coupon beneficiaries, and interpreted and demonstrated the primary urban farm site techniques—including aquaponics setup, greenhouse soil blocking, raised bed crop rotation, three-bin alternating and worm composting systems, native pollinator garden, and more—for all formal tours (including city and state officials) and informal visitors.

Family drop-in programs – Children were engaged in sustainable gardening through free family programs. In 2011 these sessions were held at Fruit & Vegetable Garden and in 2012 were shifted to the newly opened Children’s Growing Garden. In 2011 four different guided activities engaged them in sustainable agriculture: Be a Farmer, I Can Compost, Parade of Pollinators, and Soil Search. Children “planted” and “harvested” real root vegetables in a raised bed and designed their own gardens using clay models, explored worm composting systems together with soil nutrients and decomposition, “play-pollinated” flowers with insect/animal puppets to discuss fertilization and seed formation, and learned about the components of healthy soil. Offerings were expanded in 2012 with activities on companion planting, “pollinator to pantry,” and cover crops. For the companion planting sessions, participants planted a seasonally-appropriate vegetable seed with a marigold plant and discussed why this was useful, then took home their plants with a care sheet. The Pollinator to Pantry puzzle showed the route food takes from when it is pollinated to the time it lands on the table. Finally, children planted the cover crop alfalfa in the Growing Garden and learned how cover crops add nutrients back into the soil.

Farmers’ market demonstrations – Every other week for a total of ten times during the summer in 2011 and 2012 the Garden hosted a Sunday farmers’ market with 10-12 vendors. At each market a farmer gave a demonstration twice that day on a certain subject in his or her expertise related to sustainable agriculture. The 2011 topics included: soil prep basics, companion planting, pasture-raised meat, beekeeping basics, the importance of plant diversity, role of pollinators, backyard chickens, extending the growing season, and backyard composting. The ten 2012 topics included some repeats as well as new topics: chickens, beekeeping, composting, and companion planting, as well as pests, cover crops, seed saving, solar power basics (based on products purchased through the SARE grant), farmstead cider, and aquaponics. Visitors gathered at a designated tent for the approximately 15-minute demonstration, after which farmers answered questions from the audience.

Website – Since receiving the SARE grant, the Garden has included information and resources related to sustainable agriculture both online and in print pieces. Recent blog topics such as resolving to “go organic” in the garden in the new year, seed saving methods, and tomato eco-tips added to past information on eco-friendly gardening, creating pollinator habitat, seed starting indoors, planning a vegetable garden, and more. In both years, monthly e-newsletters included a monthly plant “check list” and tips from the Garden’s Plant Information department; many of these included sustainable growing methods for vegetables. The newsletters mentioned activities related to sustainable agriculture, including classes and certificates, farm dinners, edibles festivals, and more. It also featured special “Smart Gardener” articles on topics such as peppers and harvesting, among others. Sustainable gardening is a common theme on the Garden’s Facebook page. The most recent example included starting an organic vegetable garden in a small space, growing cool season vegetables, and videos of Garden staff featured on local news to discuss “green” gardening.

TARGET INITIATIVES
School classes and WCH mini-courses – In 2011 the Garden offered two classes related to sustainable agriculture: the four-series family-friendly “Let’s Grow Together” class and the one-time class on Organic Gardening. In the former, families designed a 32-square-foot raised bed garden and met through the season to learn different techniques. The latter provided participants with fundamentals, including reasons behind these methods, the basics of sustainable plant nutrition and pest management, and a discussion on organics from a retail consumer perspective. In 2012 this class was again offered under the name “The Sustainable Garden.” Two additional classes—“Vegetable Gardens: Plant Now for Next Year’s Harvest” and “Raising Backyard Chickens”—were also offered. The Garden’s Windy City Harvest urban agriculture training program also offered small, half-day mini-courses in 2011 and 2012; 2012 topics included crop planning, seed starting, composting, and cooking with local produce, the last two offered in conjunction with Mercy Hospital.

Farm field trips – In 2011 participants were given a tour of Heritage Prairie Farm and an accompanying talk on the farmer’s sustainable methods. This past year participants toured Loyola University’s Retreat and Ecology Campus as well as W&M Land Corp farm. Participants toured the student-led farm on the 100-acre campus, learning about the sustainable agriculture techniques—both ancient and high tech—employed in the upkeep of the garden, orchard, and compost and bee operations. Participants harvested some of the sustainable produce and then brought it to resident chef Scott Commings, who offered an heirloom tomato tasting and prepared a delicious meal through a cooking class demonstration. At W&M Land Corp, farmer David Woodruff showed off his farm and the practices he uses, including cover cropping and high tunnels.

Farm dinners – Six farm dinners prepared by chef Cleetus Friedman were held in 2011 and 2012 at Fruit & Vegetable Garden. A Wisconsin or Illinois farmer was featured at each of the 2011 dinners: one each from McCluskey Brothers Organic Farm (beef and cheese), River Valley Ranch (mushrooms), and Heritage Prairie Farm (vegetables and honey). In 2012 the River Valley Ranch farmer participated again, as did two Illinois producers: Faith’s Farm (meat) and Wind Ridge Herb Farm (herbs). In both years participants in Green Youth Farm and Windy City Harvest (GYF/WCH), the Garden’s urban agriculture programs, were also present. Dinners featured the farmer’s products as well as produce from the two programs. Diners had the chance to talk to the farmer during cocktails and the multi-course meal, tour Fruit & Vegetable Garden, and hear from the farmer and GYF/WCH participants as they ate. Participants were impressed by the beauty and bounty of Fruit & Vegetable Garden as they learned how the Garden grows edibles sustainably.

Open farm days – In 2012 five open houses at urban farms showcased these training programs for youth and young adults and informed community members about sustainable gardening. The events were advertised to the Chicago Botanic Garden community, residents of the urban farm neighborhood, and farmers’ market attendees. At the open houses, visitors were given tours of the farms by program participants, who explained their growing techniques and adeptly answered questions. Visitors were then offered lunch prepared by the participants with produce fresh from the gardens. They also had the opportunity to buy fresh, organic produce and take home a free seedling to plant in their own backyards.

• One example of ephemeral signage at FVG
• Farmers market demonstrations
• Intern mini-demonstration at Fruit & Veg Garden
• Farm dinner with chef
• FVG mini-demonstrations listing online
• Example of newsletter with “Smart Gardener” soil tips link
• Let’s Grow Together class
• Example of habitat purchased for interpretation plus signage
• Seed saving demonstration