Chamika Jones

2024 Apprenticeship Alumni

I am writing to share my experience with the Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship as I reflect on my journey into urban agriculture. After spending a decade in public service with the Chicago Park District, I reached a point where I felt my career no longer aligned with my passions and life goals. With three children aged between 2 and 10, I decided to leave my job and pursue something that motivated me on a much deeper level: urban agriculture.

My journey into this field started eight years prior, prompted by my health and nutrition concerns. I began homesteading and was pleasantly surprised by my cultivation abilities, learning that my home could become a wellness and produce haven. My encouragement from friends and family who acknowledged my skills propelled me further. I sought to deepen my knowledge and became an Openlands TreeKeeper, a University of Illinois Master Urban Farmer, and eventually took on the role of chair for a local school garden. These experiences proved invaluable, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through it all, I expanded my skills and understood that urban agriculture was my calling. I recognized that I needed hands-on training to match the vision that others saw in me. This realization led me to apply for the Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship. Allowing myself to let go of control and embrace this program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Entering the apprenticeship, I came with a wealth of knowledge but surprisingly little confidence in large-scale cultivation. However, I quickly discovered the richness of learning alongside 17 other passionate individuals, each bringing unique experiences and backgrounds. Together, we cultivated a community of lifelong colleagues and friendships. The program exposed me to concepts and practices in environmental literacy that I had not previously been aware of, and we dove deep into the various urban agriculture spaces in Chicago, exploring their histories and the legislative frameworks that influenced them.

During the program, we learned from guest presenters who discussed essential legislation and zoning changes affecting urban agriculture. I gained insights into numerous resources and funding opportunities and learned from previous participants who became landowners and incubator farmers. Notably, we even assisted in constructing a hoop house, which was both rewarding and informative. The icing on the cake was learning from someone who looked like me, understood me, and had urban farmland being actively cultivated simultaneously.

In April 2024, I secured employment through a job posting shared within the apprenticeship. This part-time position was pivotal; it provided financial support for my family and allowed me to immerse myself in the urban agriculture community. I became actively involved, engaging with local gardening initiatives and leveraging my knowledge to connect organizations like Windy City Harvest with the Austin community.

Working with the Austin Garden Collective, we helped bring residents together to learn about urban agriculture and its educational opportunities while empowering culinary entrepreneurs to transform fresh produce into delightful meals. In partnership with Windy City Harvest, we supplied seedlings to community gardens and donated over 500 lbs of food, addressing immediate community needs while fostering growth.

The demands of balancing the paid apprenticeship with my evolving career were challenging. Yet, both Windy City Harvest and my employer demonstrated flexibility and support, allowing me to manage my time effectively and excel academically and professionally. This experience has enabled me to organize significant community events and establish connections that promote a stronger network within the Austin neighborhood.

I left the apprenticeship with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized community members like myself and the potential of urban agriculture to address inequities in access to healthy food. This experience bolstered my confidence in launching Sowed Up Farms, LLC, aimed at providing fresh produce and agricultural education to underserved communities, starting in Austin, Chicago. Austin, the largest of Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, has a population of 100,000 and faces economic challenges, including low median incomes and limited access to higher education. With a younger demographic of children and young adults, these factors contribute to food insecurity and poor nutrition, highlighting the need for initiatives like Sowed Up Farms.

Sowed Up Farms aims to empower residents, promote social justice, and create a more equitable food system by providing locally grown produce and educational resources. Our business model is built on sustainability and community health, ensuring that everyone can access the fresh, healthy food they deserve, regardless of their background.

As an entrepreneur, it’s crucial to approach this strategically, and WCH has equipped me with the necessary resources for proper planning. Additionally, as a mother of three daughters, having security is essential. As an incubator farmer, I benefit from access to land, which is often difficult to obtain, as well as a commercial kitchen for creating value-added products. I also have access to proper certifications and insurance requirements, business technical support, consistent continuing education opportunities, and direct access to vital resources such as food storage and distribution channels. Each of these factors can significantly impact a business's success.

If it weren't for the WCH program, I would not have this stability and confidence. I have also gained the ability to strategically plan and request the purchase of land through the Chi Bloc Builder program, which I learned about from the resources shared during my apprenticeship and through my community work.To take it a step further, my professional partnership has allowed the grant-funded planning for strategically addressing food insecurities in Austin with the transition of underutilized.  

As I forge ahead, I find fulfillment as an incubator farmer and entrepreneur while also pursuing agricultural consulting with my employer-turned-partner. We are expanding our nonprofit initiative to establish advanced incubators in my community, working to sow the seeds of change that will resonate within my neighborhood for years to come.

I am grateful for the opportunities the Windy City Harvest Apprenticeship has provided, not only for my personal growth but also for the broader community. It set me on a path that aligns my passion for urban agriculture with my dedication to serving others. Thank you for considering my experience as part of the 2024 cohort.

I look forward to the next chapter in my journey and to continuing to contribute to the urban agriculture movement.