When asking yourself about something to do near me in Chicago with a group of friends or family, consider
Growing Home Urban Farm
Why Growing Home Urban Farm is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Growing Home Urban Farm stands out as a vital community-centered agricultural enterprise located in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. As the city's only USDA Certified Organic urban farm, it offers a unique destination for friends to gather around fresh, locally grown produce while supporting a meaningful mission. The farm produces over 35,000 pounds of diverse vegetables annually, including baby salad greens, heirloom tomatoes, and seasonal greens, all grown within a 20-mile radius to ensure freshness and sustainability. Beyond being a farm stand, Growing Home serves as a social enterprise and educational hub, engaging visitors through tours and a learning garden that invites youth groups for interactive farming experiences. Its community garden allows residents to grow alongside expert urban farmers, fostering both food security and neighborhood revitalization. By integrating organic farming with workforce development, the farm creates a welcoming environment where visitors can enjoy high-quality produce, learn about sustainable agriculture, and support social impact initiatives all in one place.
Here's what people think of Growing Home Urban Farm
As of recent, Growing Home Urban Farm holds a 4.7-star rating based on 65 reviews.
Visitors to Growing Home Urban Farm consistently praise it for its strong community impact and dedication to organic farming. Positive reviews highlight the freshness and quality of produce, the educational tours that are both engaging and informative, and the staff's commitment to empowering marginalized community members through workforce training. Many reviewers appreciate the farm’s role in improving access to healthy food in an area traditionally underserved by fresh food options, noting it as a beacon for local food justice. On the other hand, some negative feedback mentions limited hours that can make visiting challenging and occasional difficulties with produce availability during off-peak seasons. A few note that the urban farm setting is modest compared to larger, more commercial farms, which may affect visitors’ expectations. Overall, the reviews converge on the point that Growing Home Urban Farm provides significant social and environmental benefits, making it a valued community resource and an inspiring place for anyone interested in sustainable urban agriculture and community development.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Latoya “Pbljhp1” Harris-Pickens
I went to their Growing Home Urban Bar Crawl & it was healthy & amazing. The food was a great fit & was prepared with all the local farm fresh vegetables. They had trolleys to visit all the local farmers & businesses. They also have a lot of programs for everyone to obtain knowledge of the Farmer's Market industry.
K Daniel
Beautiful garden, mission and staff. Great produce and great for the community! Love Growing Home!
Fran Gordon
Exciting to witness what great people can do.
Miranda Kissling
Beautiful, productive farm that is continuing to expand. We toured during Open House Chicago. The employees are passionate about farming! This program is making great change for the employees and for the neighborhood. Beautiful produce at low prices. Great work.
Nereida Alegre (Nerie)
They are the Best I love them so much I got a lot from them and they live up to their name and promises Contact them ASAP
How to reach Growing Home Urban Farm
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Website: None
Why Growing Home Urban Farm may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Growing Home Urban Farm with your friends? This vibrant urban farm in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood offers a unique setting that blends community, education, and fresh food production all in one welcoming space. Gathering here means more than just meeting up; it’s an opportunity to connect with each other amid nature, learn together about sustainable practices, and experience firsthand how a local nonprofit nurtures both people and plants. With a stellar 4.7 rating from 65 reviews, Growing Home Urban Farm stands out as a place that combines beauty, purpose, and hands-on activities perfect for groups seeking a meaningful outing. Whether it’s to share a relaxing day outdoors, participate in guided tours, or engage in educational workshops, this farm cultivates a sense of belonging and collective impact. Friends and family can enjoy a refreshing break from the ordinary while supporting an urban farm dedicated to organic growth and workforce development. The farm’s mission to empower individuals through employment training and community involvement gives meetups a deeper, socially responsible dimension that can inspire every participant. It’s a chance to rally around nature, local food, and positive social change as a group.
What activities are available for groups at Growing Home Urban Farm? The farm offers a variety of engaging experiences tailored to groups of all ages and interests. One popular option is the guided tours available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM, which provide a behind-the-scenes look at how an urban organic farm operates in a city setting. These tours are educational and interactive, perfect for friends or family groups wanting to learn about sustainable farming, crop varieties, and the farm’s impact on the local community. In addition to tours, there’s a Learning Garden designed specifically for youth groups, where participants can get hands-on experience planting, tending, and harvesting crops. This space encourages teamwork and teaches essential principles of agriculture and environmental stewardship. For those interested in contributing more directly, there are volunteering opportunities where groups can help maintain the farm or assist in seasonal planting and harvesting. This participation not only strengthens social bonds but also enriches understanding of food systems. Throughout your visit, you can witness the farm’s wide variety of over 200 vegetable types grown, including unique heirloom tomatoes and leafy greens. The availability of fresh, organic produce makes it an inspiring place to explore food’s journey from seed to table.
Why is Growing Home Urban Farm perfect for a group meetup? Several features make this urban farm ideal for gatherings focused on connection, learning, and community building. First, the farm’s setting in the Englewood neighborhood provides a tranquil green oasis in the heart of Chicago, with ample outdoor space to comfortably accommodate groups while allowing for social distancing if necessary. The mix of open fields, unheated hoop houses, and garden plots creates an immersive natural environment, ideal for leisurely walks or focused activities. Second, Growing Home's commitment to social enterprise means that your gathering supports a good cause—your visit directly helps fund employment training programs for Chicago residents. This adds purpose to your meetup, offering participants a chance to engage with a positive local initiative. Third, the farm staff and educators are experienced in hosting group events, tailoring tours and activities to fit the interests and dynamics of different groups. Whether it’s a casual family outing or an educational day with friends, the farm’s hands-on approach fosters collaboration and conversation. Additionally, the farm’s produce stand allows your group to take home fresh, organic vegetables, adding a tangible benefit to your visit. The farm’s long growing season, extending from March through December, means it can host events and meetups through most of the year, making it a reliable choice for planned gatherings.
What makes the Learning Garden a special area for group visits? The Learning Garden at Growing Home Urban Farm is designed as an educational and interactive space perfect for youth and community groups looking to deepen their understanding of urban agriculture. This area offers participants the chance to engage in hands-on gardening activities, which cultivate teamwork, responsibility, and a connection to nature that is often missing in urban environments. Visitors can plant seeds, care for growing plants, and harvest crops, which helps to make the learning process both fun and memorable. The garden is also a platform for sharing important messages about sustainable living, healthy eating, and environmental stewardship. Because it's tailored for groups, it encourages collaboration and meaningful interaction among friends or family members, helping to build strong social connections grounded in shared experiences. Educational tours or workshops here are often led by experts or trained farmers who provide insights into the challenges and rewards of urban farming, making the experience both informative and inspiring. This unique setting within Growing Home Urban Farm offers more than just a physical space—it creates opportunities for personal growth and community empowerment while you socialize and learn together.
How does Growing Home Urban Farm support workforce development through its programs? One of the standout aspects of Growing Home Urban Farm is its paid Employment Training Program, which emphasizes providing valuable career skills to Chicago residents, especially those from the surrounding urban community. This 12-week comprehensive program equips participants with hands-on experience in organic farming, job readiness, and personal development. For groups meeting at the farm, this function adds meaningful context: you’re seeing a socially responsible business in action that enables individuals to gain stable employment and improve their lives. Visitors often encounter trainees actively working on the farm as Production Assistants, showcasing how the farm invests in people as much as crops. This workforce development focus sets Growing Home apart as more than a farm—it is a critical community resource and career catalyst. For those hosting meetups, this can spark inspiring conversations around social equity, locally grown food systems, and community resilience. Supporting the farm by visiting or volunteering helps sustain these innovative programs that blend agriculture with social justice. This approach aligns well with groups interested in supporting nonprofits that deliver measurable, positive outcomes.
What should groups know about the farm’s produce and sustainability efforts? Growing Home Urban Farm is USDA-Certified Organic and prides itself on growing, harvesting, and selling all produce within a 20-mile radius of Chicago, ensuring freshness and minimizing food miles. The farm cultivates over 200 varieties of vegetables, including diverse heirloom tomatoes, salad mixes, and cooking greens. These crops are grown using sustainable methods combining outdoor fields and hoop houses that extend the growing season nearly year-round, from March through December. For groups visiting, this means a chance to explore a wide spectrum of organic vegetables in various stages of growth, an eye-opening contrast to industrial farming techniques. The farm's dedication to fresh, healthy food is not only educational but also allows meetups to enjoy tastings or take home high-quality produce. This commitment to sustainability supports local food access, combats food deserts in urban areas, and provides a replicable model for urban agriculture. For groups passionate about the environment and healthy living, the farm exemplifies community-driven solutions that promote both ecological and social health, amplifying the value of a group visit.
How can group visits to Growing Home Urban Farm engage with the local community? Beyond farming, Growing Home is deeply embedded in its community, offering platforms for dialogue, education, and volunteerism. Groups visiting the farm become part of a broader narrative dedicated to revitalizing the Englewood neighborhood through meaningful employment, healthier food options, and environmental education. By scheduling tours or participating in hands-on activities, groups engage with local farmers and trainees, learning about challenges and successes faced by urban growers. Volunteer opportunities further enhance this engagement, allowing groups to contribute directly to the farm’s upkeep and harvest cycles. This interaction fosters empathy, understanding, and shared goals between visitors and the community. Hosting a meetup here thus becomes not only a social event but also an act of solidarity, supporting a movement that is transforming urban spaces into thriving ecosystems. The farm’s open approach to community involvement encourages transparency and inclusion, making every group feel welcomed and valued.
What are the practical details for planning a group meetup at Growing Home Urban Farm? The farm is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with tours typically running from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Scheduling in advance is recommended to ensure your group receives a tailored experience, and some tours or programs may request a suggested donation of $10 per person, which can be waived for some school or non-profit groups. The farm’s outdoor nature means that gatherings are well-suited to spring, summer, and fall months, with hoop houses providing some protection from colder weather. Accessibility and parking should be considered, but the farm’s location within Chicago makes it reasonably easy to reach by car or public transit, serving as a convenient urban escape. Groups should dress comfortably and be prepared for outdoor activities, which include walking on uneven ground, gardening tasks, and possible interaction with farm animals or equipment. Bringing reusable water bottles and snacks or arranging to buy produce on site enhances the experience. Overall, Growing Home Urban Farm combines convenience with a rich program to make group meetups smooth, educational, and plenty of fun.