The resource and design center will house a multimedia collection of resource materials of
topics relevant to developing sustainable communities and the green economy. The topics
will range from green architecture to zero urban agriculture to renewable energy. The resource
center will also provide architecture, design and planning services for the 6th Ward as well as
other south side wards and communities. The resource center could potentially house a
bookstore with a variety of titles related to sustainable design, green building, cooking,
nutrition, environmental justice, etc.
Integrated Urban Ag and Social Enterprise Projects
(Including Aquaponic Operations)
The integration of urban agricultural operations with other enterprises is critical to the
development of the urban ag sector as a viable economic sector and in tandem with the
development of the green economy. One example is combining an urban ag operation with a
food innovation and venture center that would facilitate the development of value added
products. See Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (http://www.acenetworks.org/facilities/).
In West Garfield Park in conjunction with Bethel New Life and Euphoria Development Corporation the completion of the urban farm at Lake and Pulaski in combination with the opening of a produce market initially located in the BNL green commercial building will be developed and completed in early 2010. The second phase of the program will be the design
and development of an approximately 5,000 to 6,000 sq. ft., community scale produce and grocery market on the urban farm site.
Research and Development Projects (Manufacturing of
Agricultural Products; Redesign of Equipment
Such As Hoophouses)
This project will create a design and manufacturing initiative that will manufacture agricultural
equipment such as components for rooftop gardens, hydroponic and aquaponic equipment and
season extension equipment such as hoophouses. In addition to the obvious employment
opportunities the reengineering and redesign of equipment such as hoophouses will also help
to reduce infrastructure costs for both urban and rural farms.
farming and sustainability particularly as they relate
to developing healthy and sustainable communities.
The community areas that CUT programs will be
focused in are Greater Englewood (Englewood and
West Englewood), Chicago Lawn, Park Manor,
Chatham, Woodlawn, Washington Park and West
Garfield Park.
development projects primarily in Pembroke
Township and surrounding municipalities in Kankakee
County. The project being planned in the Pembroke
community is a farmer training and farmer incubation
program designed to train emerging farmers, bring
land in production in underserved rural communities
and increase the amount of locally produced food
available in Illinois generally and in particular
Underserved urban communities in the Chicago
Metropolitan Area.
Many of the programs that the CUT will be involved
will be in partnership with local community
development corporations and community
development organizations working in the
aforementioned communities.
Program development and actual programs are a
dynamic endeavor. That means that depending upon
numerous variables some programs mention herein
may not come to fruition, while other programs not
mentioned here may emerge.
The emergence and development of a local and
regional food system offers new opportunities
for distribution and storage operations from
new rural and urban farming partners that
share values consistent with sustainable
agricultural practices. The distribution and
storage facilities will also support projects
such as the produce carts and mobile markets
by serving as operations headquarters for the
projects. Likewise the facilities will support the
produce needs of the community scaled grocery store network being proposed and offer
opportunities for wholesale and institutional sales as well.
