Public Programs in Chicago
From bees and chickens to season extension to project planning, our public workshops in Chicago offer inspiring ideas and hands-on skills for city residents throughout the year.
Find out about public programs at our farm.
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To learn more about the programs listed below, contact us at 773.288.5462 or chicago@learngrowconnect.org.
Season Extension - Growing Year Round in Chicago
Want to enjoy fresh vegetables from your garden ALL YEAR LONG? Learn how to choose and use low-cost methods to extend your growing season, including cold frames and hoop houses, succession planting, variety selection and more.
Basic Backyard Chicken Care
Farm fresh eggs from your own back yard? YES! Raising chickens as pets and for eggs is LEGAL in Chicago - and part of our growing local food and urban agriculture scene. Chicken care experts share tips on how to keep both your chickens and your neighbors happy - from basic needs and year-round care to relevant city regulations.
Beekeeping I: Bee Basics
Learn about the fascinating life of bees, see our urban beehives, and prepare to start a hive of your own. You’ll leave ready to select and order equipment, set up a hive, install the bees, and tend and inspect a hive. We’ll taste a variety of honeys and other products from the hive. This is the first of two workshops designed to prepare you to keep bees in the city.
Beekeeping II: Harvest and Winter Care
New and returning beekeepers will learn methods for harvesting, extracting, and bottling honey. Additional topics include organic disease control, and preparing the hive for winter. We’ll do a full hive checkup (weather permitting) and taste urban honey fresh from the comb.
Products from the Beehive
Did you know that honeybees produce substances with healing properties? In this session, you'll learn how to use honey, beeswax, propolis, and pollen for body care and natural healthcare. You'll experience the luscious smells, tastes, and textures of bee products and choose a recipe to try in class. Leave with new ideas for personal use or to make as gifts.
Farm Dreams: Assessing Risks & Resources to Start a Small Farm or Market Garden
Have you ever dreamed of starting your own farm? In this interactive workshop, we'll learn about types of sustainable farming careers in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, take part in a series of self-assessments, and be better prepared to decide whether to pursue a farming business is the right choice for you. We'll hear about regional training opportunities through the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT), university extension, small business development centers, and others. Includes a presentation of farming enterprises, a tour of a growing site, and an opportunity to ask questions about the development of successful local farms.