CCFB News» April 2021

Neola Street Community Garden located in Cook County’s Park Forest, is a community garden with a focus on bringing the community volunteers and cooperatives together safely to grow their own food as well as share with community residents in order to become a healthier, more sustainable community. Grant funds will be used to purchase compost, soil mix, and materials to create additional raised beds.

Rainbow Beach Victory Garden, established in Chicago’s South Shore community in 1917, is creating a perennial pollinator garden to educate local students and community members about gardening, the importance of bees to our eco-system, and how community gardens feed community tables and local spirit, while building pride in one’s community. Grant funds will be used to purchase perennial plants, seed, and organic soil.

Roots Community Garden, located in Palatine, is a community volunteer garden producing close to 400 pounds of fresh produce through gardening. It also serves to provide a space to offer children’s activities and community events, including growing, meal planning, and cooking with fresh vegetables among other programs. Funds will be used to purchase vegetable plantings, garden materials, tools, and garden stakes.

Estella's Garden, located in Chicago’s Englewood community, is a community garden that provides residents free access to fresh produce, while educating them on food sustainability while bringing beautification to the neighborhood. Hands-on participation from community youth and adults in the gardening process, maintenance, and harvesting stage, fostering beauty, and hope. Funds will be used for plantings, soil, fertilizer, garden materials, and gloves.

GRF Community Garden & Apiary, located in Cook County’s Park Forest neighborhood, is a community garden seeking to educate families and residents about growing food and producing honey, while providing a space to learn new skills, with a focus on income projects for every family involved. Funds will be used to purchase garden tools, irrigation hoses, beekeeping materials, and soil.

Palos Park Public Library Pollinator Garden, located in Cook County’s Palos Park community, is a garden that provides hands-on opportunities to educate the public on the importance of pollinators to our ecosystem. Youth activities, crafts, and lectures take place with the garden as its focus. Grant funds will be used to purchase garden supplies, tools, compost, mulch, sand, and pollinator.