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Chicago's Urban Growers Collective provides access to affordable, culturally-affirming and nutritionally-dense food. They teach staff and volunteers how to garden organically. We wanted to tell their story.
The Chicago chapters of ASMP and APA invited Austin photographer Scott Van Osdol to show his portfolio and tell how shooting pro-bono helped build his career. Scott thought, "That sounds boring. Let's find a good non-profit, take pictures, and give them back. Everybody loves a shoot for a good cause." Urban Growers Collective turned out to be the ideal client. A dozen photographers shot great stuff. We gave it all to UGC, pro-bono.
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Director of Farms Malcolm Evans with onions and carrots plucked from the rich soil.
The farm site was once a residential neighborhood next to a steel factory. The ground was contaminated with heavy metals. UGC removed the dirt, laid a clay cap layer, added three feet of wood chips, and built growing beds using clean compost.
The soil smells alive.
Darion "DC" Crawford, Compost & Infrastructure Coordinator
Darion began farming at 16 at Chicago's Marshall High School. He leads national workshops on large-scale composting and greenhouse/aquaponics construction.
Harvest Coordinator Siobhan Beal and Farm Administrator Paige Tobin share a hug while harvesting.
UGC sells to residential subscribers, wholesale to restaurants, at farm stands and the Fresh Moves Mobile Market bus. People can pay using Link/SNAP and WIC/Senior vouchers.
Youth Corps Instructor Xavier "X" Colon in the pepper patch.
His students get hands-on experience with urban farming and business development. Xavier is an Educator & Grower for Semillas y Raices and represents the International Indigenous Youth Council. He manages the Three Sisters garden plot using traditional methods of growing corn, squash, and beans together.
Community volunteers weeding the red okra
Grower-in-Training Anthony Fisher began farming in 2007 at the Chicago Lights Farm in Cabrini Green.
He spent four years as a Youth Corps member learning to farm and work with the community. Anthony says he will teach his kids to garden because it’s a natural way of living and important for all people.
Grower Apprentice Liz Sanchez prunes sucker shoots from a tomato plant.
Liz is part of UGC’s second cohort of the Grower Apprenticeship Program, which provides new and emerging growers with hands-on training in urban agriculture production and cooperative business models.
Liz prepares to make another cut.
Intern Brandon Gutierrez shares a tender moment with his tomatoes.
Farm Stand Associate Gina Santana shows former Intern Kyle Fox updates to the farm stand, including a new pergola to welcome the community.
Herbalist Kim Curtis tends the herb garden.
UGC's apprenticeship model explores herbalism from seed to table to remedy. The program works with people looking to nature for remedies for personal and societal illnesses.
Kim still smiling at the end of a long, hot summer day.
It's true, Scott built his career by shooting pro-bono for fun. He shoots what he loves and shares that in his portfolio. People respond to his enthusiasm and ask, How can I help?
It's a good way to make new friends, build the portfolio and share the recognition that comes with awards from Communication Arts, PRINT, HOW International Design Annual, and Luerzer's Archive 200 Best Advertising Photographers.
Give it away, it comes back.