Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm, located in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood, began in 2016 as a community-driven initiative, spearheaded by the late Johnnie Owens, to transform a vacant lot into a thriving urban farm. Local residents, inspired by the area’s rich cultural legacy and a desire to address food insecurity, came together to clear the land and cultivate it. This collaborative effort aimed to create a space that not only provides fresh produce but also fosters community engagement and education.
Today, the farm practices sustainable agriculture with a focus on organic growing and harvesting methods. They host a variety of community programming, including hands-on gardening workshops where participants learn about soil health, crop rotation, and composting techniques. Nutritional cooking classes emphasize the use of farm-fresh ingredients, promoting healthy eating habits. Youth education programs teach children about urban farming practices and environmental stewardship.
Community events like seasonal harvest festivals and lively farmers’ markets showcase the farm’s bounty, offering neighbors a chance to connect while enjoying locally grown produce. Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm exemplifies how urban agriculture can empower communities, improve food access, and strengthen neighborhood bonds through shared knowledge and collective effort.
As part of its collaboration with ReSOURCE, Bronzeville Neighborhood Farm hosted Candace Hunter’s artist commission, in which she used repurposed materials to create a bench that reflects stories of Bronzeville residents. The farm also organized multiple youth art events throughout the summer, to culminate in a presentation at the Harvest Festival on October 26.