Chicago Urban Ag Crawl and Backyard BBQ Unites Community, Showcases Local Farmers and Culinary Talent
CHICAGO — This past weekend, Chicago’s South Side was buzzing with excitement as the third annual Urban Ag Crawl and Backyard BBQ brought together local farmers, chefs, and community members to celebrate urban agriculture and sustainable food systems. Hosted by Growing Home, Grow Greater Englewood, and Urban Growers Collective, the event featured 17 urban farms and gardens spread across Greater Englewood, Back of the Yards, Auburn Gresham, South Chicago, and Bronzeville.
With over 300 attendees, the event offered a unique opportunity to explore Chicago’s thriving urban agriculture scene. Participants toured community farms and gardens, sampled fresh, locally sourced food, and enjoyed activities that highlighted the importance of sustainable farming in fostering resilient communities.
Culinary Stars Shine
A highlight of the day was the delicious food prepared by local culinary talent, including Ayana Smith of Fat Tuesday Celebrations catering, and Royce Lowery and Danielle Mitchell of Emberbloom, an eco-friendly catering company. Their creative dishes, featuring ingredients from local farms, impressed guests and emphasized the connection between urban agriculture and the city’s culinary landscape.
Doughboy Chicago also contributed to the event, serving up mouthwatering treats that reflected the flavors of Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods, while staying true to the theme of sustainability.
A Celebration of Urban Agriculture
The Urban Ag Crawl, first launched in 2022, has become a cornerstone event for Chicago’s South Side, highlighting the transformative impact of urban farming. This year, the event expanded to include new farm and garden sites in Bronzeville and West Pullman, showing the growing reach of community-led agricultural projects.
Janelle St. John, Executive Director of Growing Home, emphasized the collaborative spirit driving the event: “The Urban Ag Crawl is the embodiment of a vision that emerged from Growing Home’s Leadership Council. It’s a powerful example of what can happen when like-minded organizations and individuals come together to fight for a more equitable food system. We’re not just showcasing farms and gardens; we’re inviting all of Chicago to be part of a movement that’s transforming our food landscape.”
Anton Seals, Lead Steward of Grow Greater Englewood, underscored the cultural and educational value of the event: “We expanded the tours of farms and gardens to shine light on the diverse agricultural efforts underway to create local food systems in our communities.”
Erika Allen, Co-Founder and CEO of Strategic Development at Urban Growers Collective, reflected on the event’s growth and impact: “After 22 years of seeding urban agriculture work on the south side it is so gratifying to have so many projects that are led by Black and Brown community leaders and multicultural gardeners, growers and farmers and to share our collective work with all of Chicago.”
A Gathering of Communities
The day concluded with a lively Backyard BBQ and Night Bazaar at the Englewood Village Plaza, where attendees enjoyed live music, food, and community-centered activities. The energy and sense of unity were palpable, as farmers, chefs, and local residents came together to celebrate their collective efforts.
The success of this year’s Urban Ag Crawl and Backyard BBQ demonstrates the growing importance of urban agriculture in Chicago’s food landscape. As local farmers continue to reclaim their agricultural heritage and build equitable food systems, events like this highlight the vital role community plays in shaping a sustainable future.
Proceeds from the event will continue to support local urban farmers and community gardening initiatives, ensuring that these efforts thrive and expand in the years to come.
