Green is for Gardening
(L-R): Melanie Bromberek, Reynaldo Engram, and Carmella Rocha at Farm on Ogden. Photo by Chicago Botanic Garden.
Reynaldo Engram loves to lend a helping hand, especially when gardening is involved. As a child he helped senior citizens with their gardens. Today, thanks to Farm on Ogden, he has paired his delightful smile with a gardening skill set that gives him an opportunity to change his community - and his own life - for the better.
Engram’s journey to Farm on Ogden began in 2014 when he was arrested for possession of marijuana. He recalls growing and selling marijuana in order to provide for his family.
After receiving a two year probation, he found out about the Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship through the Safer Foundation. He completed the Windy City Harvest Corps program in 2016 and the apprenticeship program in 2017. Once Farm on Ogden opened, he applied for a job and now works there as the food hub assistant.
“I growed stuff that I didn’t supposed to grow,” said Engram. “Now it’s legal, that’s a funny thing.”
The Farm on Ogden is a multi-use facility that has only been in North Lawndale since June of 2018. But already, it is helping so many people to not only have access to fresh produce--but also, jobs. Farm on Ogden produces more than 120,000 pounds of produce annually.
A sign near the Farm on Ogden encouraging all people to apply. Photo by Ebony Ellis.
Windy City Harvest is operated through the Chicago Botanic Garden. Programs are meant to provide paid opportunities to learn about and gain experience in urban agriculture. Programs include: corps, the transitional job training program for adult offenders; apprenticeship, for adults and graduates of the corps program; the youth farm, serving ages 15 through 18; and the incubator program, partnered with YWCA to help people learn about the business aspect of urban agriculture. Farm on Ogden is one of 16 different farms throughout the Chicagoland area.
Robin Smith has been the manager of the Windy City Harvest Corps Program since November 2018. She emphasizes the importance of being able to provide jobs for individuals in the community. According to Smith, in 2019, 28 out of 35 of the enrolled participants (for the Corps program) lived on the West Side.
“The goal of the transitional job training program is to provide jobs for individuals that face barriers,” Smith said.
Some North Lawndale residents are all in on the Farm on Ogden as well. Constance Mason has been living in North Lawndale for some time, but recently moved into a new residence. During a recent visit in her bag were a few items including lemons she intended to use to make tea and seasonings. She said she spreads the word about the facility every chance she gets. She said more stores are needed in the community.
“To have a farmer’s market like this in the area, I think it’s a blessing,” Mason said. “It’s more than just eating, it’s a lot of things going on.”
The need for community gardens is not new or foreign to Engram. He said his family moved into North Lawndale in 1969. During the time his family lived near the intersection of W. 13th St. and S. Karlov Ave. they had to travel to either W. 26th St. and N. Pulaski Rd. or W. 31st St. and Cicero Ave. in order to purchase fresh food and produce. He recalls other Black families being wary of sending their kids to the grocery store on 26th St. due to gang activity.
“As far as fresh vegetables, that was just a no-no,” Engram said. “You‘d get your fresh vegetables whenever you go to the big grocery store.”
Today, Engram hopes that he will be able to retire from the Chicago Botanic Garden in a few years. He enjoys the program because it helps everyone.
“It helps the young people, it helps the old people, it helps the people in trouble, it even helps the veterans,” said Engram.
The Farm on Ogden is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more photos of the Farm on Ogden, click here.