Chicago's South Side became a fusion of fall festivities and agricultural education as the Urban Growers Collective threw open its farm gates for the annual Harvest Festival. The event, held on a brisk October 26, delivered a cornucopia of activities from pumpkin painting to apple tastings, while also bolstering the community's connection to the land. According to ABC 7 Chicago, the Harvest Fest is a testament to Urban Growers Collective's ongoing commitment to fostering health, economic development, and creativity through urban agriculture.
The collective, noted for being Black- and woman-led, operates on providing not just greens but also education and opportunities for Chicagoans. Through its eight farms, the nonprofit hands over 18,000 pounds of fresh produce yearly, tackling food insecurity head-on. Notably, the day's events, including haunted tours and cooking demonstrations were rooted in celebrating ancestral wisdom and creative expression, while also nurturing individual and collective growth, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
Meanwhile, personal tales from the festival highlighted the broader impact. Roman McCruder, aged 9, gleefully immersed himself in crafting spooky snow globes and pinning a green spider web, possibly distracted by the animatronic werewolf from last year's event. His mother, Sarah Garner-McCruder, appreciated that beyond the Halloween glee, her kids were garnering an understanding of the seed-to-table cycle. "It's important for kids to learn where their food comes from," Garner-McCruder told Chicago Sun-Times. "Knowing that gives them a greater appreciation for what they have, so gratitude this time of year is important."
Mykele Deville, the farm ambassador for Urban Growers Collective, explained the initiative's dual purpose, hoping to instill a love for horticulture as well as to demystify the origins of food. "We want copycats, we want kids to grow up and know that if they see a plot of land, they can understand what's going on in the soil and plant and grow their own food. They don't have to depend on systems when they can be the system themselves," Deville said in a climate where living in the city can distance oneself from agricultural realities, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The festival also catered to concerns about safety in traditional trick-or-treating, offering a secured space for families to enjoy. Bennetta McMorris and her granddaughter Taylor, who painted pumpkins and looked forward to collecting Twix or Reeses while dressed as Princess Peach, found solace and fun in the safe, neighborhood event. "It's safe, it's in the neighborhood, it's teaching kids about eating healthy," McMorris emphasized to the Chicago Sun-Times, capturing the spirit of the festival.
