Growing Home Urban Farm Nears Groundbreaking on $25 Million Expansion Campus in West Englewood
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood ·
Growing Home has unveiled new details and renderings for its highly anticipated $25 million urban farm expansion that will significantly enhance farming operations and workforce development programs serving the West Englewood community. "My job right now is to make it happen," says Executive Director Janelle St. John, who aims to begin construction by spring 2026.
The ambitious campus will include a 30,000-square-foot building housing an organic produce processing facility, retail storefront, technology resource center, teaching kitchen, café, workforce development classrooms, and commercial kitchen spaces. A 26,000-square-foot outdoor growing space will feature a farm where neighbors can harvest their own crops. While the total project carries a price tag of approximately $20-25 million, recent grants from the city will help attract additional donors. Once completed, the expansion will double the capacity of Growing Home's workforce development program from 80 to 160 participants annually and enable year-round food production in a neighborhood that has historically struggled with food access. "It can be an anchor site that I want the community to be proud of. My hope is that it'll be a catalyst for other people to think creatively about how they can bring jobs to Englewood and not just social services," explains St. John.
Sources:
1. https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/growing-home-plans-25-million-expansion
2. https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/08/07/a-25-million-organic-farm-and-job-training-campus-could-come-to-englewood/
3. https://www.bldup.com/posts/new-renderings-and-details-revealed-for-growing-home-urban-farm-expansion
4. https://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2024/07/03/5m-city-grant-to-help-englewood-farm-provide-options-economic-development