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Last year’s MAPH cohort at the City Farm
City Farm is an urban farm located in between the Loop and Lincoln Park, and is a start-of-year MAPH tradition of sorts. On Wednesday 9th September (four days before our opening BBQ and film screening!) we’ll visit the farm and volunteer for a couple of hours, hanging out with their chickens and weeding vegetables. In previous years we’ve found this is a great way to explore Chicago’s public transit for the first time, get out of Hyde Park, meet fellow MAPHers and do something active and helpful for the Chicago community. The visit to the City Farm is free and all new MAPHers are welcome. This will be the first of several MAPH service events throughout the year – for instance, in the past we’ve done trips to the Chicago Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity Build Days, which have proved to be great opportunities to get out the library and do something constructive within the community with fellow MAPHers and mentors.
On Wednesday 9th, we’ll meet in the MAPH Lounge at the Classics Building on campus before venturing up to the farm on public transport, so this is a great chance to start on the CTA and show off your new Ventra card (by the way, if you don’t have one already the best places to buy these are probably CVS or Walgreens!). After working in the garden (in comfortable clothes and shoes, sunscreen, and maybe a straw hat?), we’ll take the Red Line back down to Hyde Park together.
Below are some tips from City Farm themselves on what to expect from the day:
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Green-fingered MAPHers on the City Farm (not pictured – green fingers)
Farming is hard work! Come prepared to get dirty and sweaty. You may expect to do things like:
- Weeding (lots of weeding)
- Tilling the soil
- Hauling & spreading resources like compost, mulch, or straw
- Picking up garbage (it is an Urban Farm after all!)
- Washing equipment
- Transplanting seedlings or thinning sprouts in the beds
What to Bring
It is super important to be prepared for the weather on the farm. In Chicago, the weather can be unpredictable! Make sure to check the weather the morning of your visit, but be prepared for a sudden change in temperature. It happens.
- Boots are recommended (even in the summer!)
- Headgear and/or sunscreen if you need them
- A water bottle
- Work gloves (we have extras of these if needed)
- Rain gear (when appropriate)
What City Farm Provide
Clik here to view.
Weeding on the farm
We want your visit to be memorable, informative, and inspiring. Our farmers will give you a tour of our operation, including hoop houses, compost, wash/processing area, etc. before putting you to work. We’ll also talk about our mission and impact in Chicago. We’ll encourage you to taste the food that we’re growing. Plus, we’ll provide a snack.
Shoot an email to Jess at jh2604@uchicago.edu if you think you can make it, just so we can get an idea of numbers. We’ll meet outside the Classics building at 11am before embarking on an adventure on the 55 bus, Red Line and through downtown Chicago. We hope to see you there!
Best,
Your Mentors