Good pRactices for growing
Decolonizing our relationship with land.
In 2018, Advocates for Urban Agriculture developed the Good Practices for Growing In Chicago program, an initiative designed to meet the unique needs of urban farmers by providing a series of workshops and technical assistance opportunities. Over the years, AUA has provided nearly a hundred workshops and thousands of hours in technical assistance supporting of land and water access, soil health, capacity building, mentorship, farm, food, and labor safety, and business/market development.
[Image: Tucker Kelly, AUA’s Water Access Steward at The Growing Solutions Farm]
We resource farmers with capacity building grants and technical assistance, we create resilient urban farming ecosystems.
-
![Dr. Israel, Soil Stories Workshop, African Heritage Garden]()
Soil Health Program
Learn about our community-based approach to improve soil health, addressing toxins, long-term fertility and sustainability for urban farms.
[Image: Dr. Israel, Soil Stories Workshop, African Heritage Garden]
-
![Water Access for Chicago Growers]()
Water Access for Chicago Growers
We are persistent in the fight for equitable water access policies and provide 1:1 technical support for our urban farm partners in Chicago.
[Image: Water Access workshop at Growing Solutions Farm]
-
![Farmer To Farmer Mentorship]()
Farmer To Farmer Mentorship
We build a community of regenerative growing practices by connecting experienced farmers with beginning growers to share knowledge and foster growth.
-
![Zafra Farm: Incubator farm in the South Side of Chicago owned and led by QTBIPOC growers]()
Capacity Building Grants
Our capacity building grants are designed to build a sustainable local food economy by resourcing urban farms in order to enter new markets, increase their community engagement and improve food security.
[Image: Zafra Farm: Incubator farm in the South Side of Chicago owned and led by QTBIPOC growers]
Some background
Our passion is in helping farmers shine.
[Image: Dr. Israel and Dr. Martin with AUA at the African Heritage Garden]
Farmers deserve to feel supported.
Advocates for Urban Agriculture is an advocacy organization centering growers, farmers, earth stewards, land and water. In partnership with and guided by growers we provide Funding, Technical Assistance, Advocacy, and Education centering growers, farmers, earth stewards, land and water. We reimagine our relationships to land, labor, and our food system while honoring Indigenous Sovereignty, Black liberation, LGBTQIA+ freedom, Disability Justice, and Immigrants’ rights.