The Talking Farm's mission is to operate a sustainable urban agricultural enterprise that provides fresh and locally-grown food, job training and environmental education, and related research. Its vision includes both a physical space to grow food for sale to the community, as well as the educational and knowledge-sharing activities that emerge from the operations of an urban, organic farm dedicated to establishing sustainable food security for the Evanston/Skokie community.  Learn more about our vision, The Talking Farms history, the organization's goals, and the people involved. 

Why an Urban Farm?

The freshest, tastiest, most nutritious food is that which is grown with the most sustainable techniques and eaten as closely after harvest as possible – in other words, locally and organically grown food. Most urban residents have had little opportunity to understand where their food comes from or to grow their own food, whether due to limitations of time, skill, or space. But given the tremendous demand in the Chicago area for organic food, consumers are beginning to think about where our food comes, and are gaining an awareness of the nexus between food and other issues, such as obesity and other health effects, the environment and food safety.

Local agricultural programs are thriving in many cities all over the country--indeed, all over the world--because they offer enormous benefits to the local economy, the environment, and the health of our citizens. And it’s easier than you think for us to start our own farm—all we need is a couple of acres of healthy land, and the support of the community, and we can begin producing our own food (10 to 20 tons annually). Here’s why we should join cities all over the country that are recognizing the potential of urban agriculture:

Know Where Your Food Comes From

Celebrating the food we eat is one of the most essential pleasures of life. And nothing is as deeply satisfying as knowing that the food you put in your and your children’s mouths is as fresh, wholesome, and delicious as Nature intended. But nowadays, so-called fresh produce travels an average of 1500 miles before we eat it, is often days or even weeks old, has lost much of its nutritional value and is often grown using dangerous pesticides and chemicals. An urban farm is a way to reconnect you to the source of your food so you can celebrate the earth’s bounty and enjoy meals made with the freshest, local organic ingredients.

Support a Sustainable Local Economy and Healthy Food System

At present, Evanston and Skokie are part of a regional food system that produces only 3 percent of the food we consume. As a result, we are all utterly dependent upon distant, corporate food purveyors for our survival. But an urban farm can help supply us with local healthy food that we can trust. And it can provide a buffer for our food security in case of disaster, war, or interruption of transportation and other vital services. Just as importantly, it can keep our money working locally, meeting local consumers’ and restaurants’ booming demand for organic produce, and providing jobs and job training to build economic opportunity for citizens.

Nurture Strong Community Connections

An urban farm is more than a place to grow food. It can be a source of jobs and commerce, a living classroom, a research facility, a community kitchen, a place for celebrations. The farm is also a place to “come home to,” a gathering place for residents, volunteers, and families to have fun and work together as a community to create a vibrant place to live. And this sense of purpose can spread throughout the region, creating mutually beneficial connections between urban and rural communities.

Create a Healthy, Safe and ‘Green’ Skokie and Evanston

Local agricultural programs improve the health of the environment as well as the physical and mental health of the community’s citizens. These programs also help teach young people about nutrition and health, while encouraging self-reliance and civic participation that can reduce crime and enhance city life.

Help Shape Skokie and Evanston’s Food and Environmental Future

By participating in a local agricultural program such as this urban farm, you can directly shape our community's future and the future of food in our community. You’ll also be part of the national movement to return local control of our food systems back to people, away from faceless corporations. But we need your support and your ideas for making this possible.