AUA is excited to partner with Pitchfork Music Festival as they seek to support the urban agriculture community in Chicago! Now more than ever, there is a need to know where our food comes from and who is growing it.

Through this partnership, Pitchfork and its attendees are strengthening Chicago’s local food system and supporting Chicago growers and urban farmers directly. Part of ticket sales for Pitchfork will go directly back to AUA to support our mission and we hope to encounter thousands of people from across the city and the country during our time at the festival. 

Please take a minute to read the press release and purchase tickets, if you’re able!
 

AUA & NeighborSpace, in partnership with the Urban Ag Partners, are still providing city hydrant access support to Chicago urban growers for the 2022 growing season. If your farm/garden is planning on using city hydrant water access, and you haven’t applied for your annual permit, be sure to apply though the city’s website or complete this form so AUA can support you with your application.

To learn more about our programs, technical assistance, regranting, resources and progress click the links below! 
  

An entirely queer-identified research team from The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign led by  Dr. Courtney Cuthbertson (they/them) is studying LGBTQ+ farmer mental health. They are planning to interview LGBTQ+ farmers to ask about their experiences. Anyone who self-identifies as LGBTQ+, engages in any aspect of farming, and is 18 or older is eligible. Participation is completely voluntary, and participants have an opportunity to win one of three $50 gift cards for completing this short survey. They are also offering $20 gift cards to those who choose to participate in a follow-up interview. All interviews will be audio-recorded and kept confidential, meaning we will not share the identities of participants.  

LGBTQ+ people in agriculture have unique experiences, and many resources made available for agricultural producers have not attended to those unique experiences. Dr. Cuthbertson is conducting the research to contribute to what is known about LGBTQ+ people in agriculture, and to work with Cooperative Extension so the research findings can help to shape available and emerging resources such as educational programs and materials, and ensure they are relevant to LGBTQ+ people. 
 
Click HERE for more information and to participate. If you have any questions, please e-mail the research team at lgbtq-ag@illinois.edu. 
 

The Roots Watering Hole podcast shared a new episode last month with some educational information to support growers in Chicagoland and beyond. Learn more about the science of growing successful vegetables and preparing your plants for autumn HERE! 
 

To learn about new jobs and grant opportunities in urban agriculture, check out the Jobs and Grant Opportunities page on our website. You can also join our listserv to share opportunities and get first alerts about what’s going on in the greater Chicago area! Click through the links below. 

Thank you for supporting Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) to continue empowering urban growers, and foster thriving communities through sustainable agriculture and equitable food systems.