Urban Growers Collective

Saxton River, VT — New Host Farm

Urban Growers Collective, a Black- and women-led non-profit farm in Chicago, Illinois, is dedicated to building a more just and equitable local food system, addressing the inequities and structural racism prevalent in the food system and communities of color. Rooted in growing food, their mission is to cultivate nourishing environments that support health, economic development, healing, and creativity through urban agriculture.

The farm provides hands-on job training and economic opportunities for youth, beginner BIPOC farmers, and individuals at high risk for gun violence. With eight urban farms spread across 11 acres of land, predominantly situated on Chicago’s South Side, the Collective not only focuses on production but also offers staff-led education, training, and leadership development. Their produce is accessible through farmers’ markets, the Collective Supported Agriculture program, and the Fresh Moves Mobile Market.

Urban Growers Collective is seeking a passionate, hardworking, community-driven individual for an Apprenticeship program aimed at learning all aspects of urban farming, including planting, production, harvesting, composting, and site maintenance. The Apprenticeship, spanning 8-10 weeks, provides opportunities to set individualized learning objectives. Apprentices will engage in a variety of tasks, including building and maintaining farm sites, seeding, planting, irrigating crops, harvesting, post-harvest handling, pest management, compost management, construction of infrastructure, assisting with sales at farmers’ markets, and daily reporting.