Star Farm: A Community Center and Classroom Without Walls

We're building a resilient food hub in Back of the Yards through empowering local women, youth, and people with disabilities because we're committed to nurture all generations of growers and food sovereignty leaders.

Learn about our projects, programs, and iniatives

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Community Garden Building

How a Farm is born. We are builders. We turn vacant lots into productive plots, and activate them with relevant community programming. It starts withthe land. Star Farm has built 6 farms and 12 community gardens and manages several restaurant and business gardens. Get inspired and reach out to learn how to activate green space at your business, school, social service organization, or restaurant.

Reach Out

Family Garden Days

FGD June 2021.jpg — Once a month from May-October, the garden is activated with programming and activities with different themes and workshop leaders. We engage youth, heads of households, and elders in inter-generational community building activities, offer engaging programming on sustainability and circular economies in all relevant languages. The garden is a platform to build community through programs and activities that reduce violence and build relationships, share knowledge across generations through games and hands-on learning, create conversation around sustainability, circular economies, agriculture, and healthy food preparation.

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Disability Farmers Program

Adults and youth with disabilities play a huge role at Star Farm. Between learning how to use tools, care for fruit trees, harvest and pack fresh produce, participants engage with the community and other growers, building a culture of inclusivity and visibility for this important population. Their participation is not only educational, but acts as a springboard to employment through Star Farm or other opportunities. Since 2016, we've engaged with more than 600 adults and youth with disabilities through bi-weekly programming on the far.

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Star Farm Incubator Farm and Shared Spaces

Star Farm hosts an incubator farm, shared greenhouse, and shared cooler space for BIPOC women growers looking to expand or start a farm business or programming based non-profit farm.

The Star Farm team has combined 15 years urban farming experience in Chicago. Growers participating in the cohort receive monthly one-on-one business consulting from Star Farm as well as monthly group knowledge-sharing sessions with the other participants in the cohort.

Rachel Nami Kimura, Hinata Farms

Hinata Farms is a Japanese heritage farm located in Chicago, IL. Founded in 2020, our mission is to make accessible locally-grown and culturally-relevant produce to the Japanese and broader Asian community in Chi — **Rachel Nami Kimura, Hinata Farms**
Hinata Farms is a Japanese heritage farm located in Chicago, IL. Founded in 2020, our mission is to make accessible locally-grown and culturally-relevant produce to the Japanese and broader Asian community in Chicago. For the latest updates, please follow us on IG @hinatafarms

Anna Acosta, Tierra y Paz I am a Mexican American woman and was born in Chicago and raised in Back of the Yards. I am a proud Chicago Public School Educator who served the Brighton Park community for 19 years. The produce we grow will go to CPS fa — **Anna Acosta, Tierra y Paz**
I am a Mexican American woman and was born in Chicago and raised in Back of the Yards. I am a proud Chicago Public School Educator who served the Brighton Park community for 19 years. The produce we grow will go to CPS families and mutual aid efforts in Back of the Yards.

Melanie Carter, Sunflower Soule Farm I want to provide organically grown produce that is accessible to all members of the community in underserved areas regardless of income. We will also strive to bridge the gap between food “aparthied sticken are — **Melanie Carter, Sunflower Soule Farm**
I want to provide organically grown produce that is accessible to all members of the community in underserved areas regardless of income. We will also strive to bridge the gap between food “aparthied sticken areas and food oases. We are dedicated to continuing our efforts to advocateadovocate for food justice in BIPOC communities.

THE STAR FARM FRESH MARKET AND SHARED KITCHEN
Star Farm will launch a retail brick and mortar in Back of the Yards in late 2021. The Star Farm Chicago Market, Shared Kitchen, and Community Room will be an oasis in a food desert providing fresh produce, educational and employment opportunities, community building, and support for local food entrepreneurs.

The Community Room will feature a communal dining area, small library, children’s play area, and a gallery featuring rotating artwork from local artists It will be available to neighborhood residents and organizations to host meetings or celebrations, and for growers to host workshops.

The Star Farm Fresh Market will be a retail farmers market offering local produce and other local products at affordable rates. We will accept LINK, WIC, senior farmers market coupons, and participate in the “Double LINK” program. We will also offer bulk organic and local goods such as oats, flour, seeds, etc. There will be a full selection of meat, poultry, dairy, dairy alternatives, prepared foods, bread, and more.

The Community Room will feature a communal dining area, small library, children’s play area, and a gallery featuring rotating artwork from local artists It will be available to neighborhood residents and organizations to host meetings or celebrations, and for growers to host workshops.