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.
Click on the title of each event to view upcoming dates or download a PDF version of our calendar.
Click here for complete registration information.
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.
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.
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.