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Writer's pictureUAS

A Day at The Farm



Dirty fingernails, sweaty shirts, rain, snow, and sunshine. These are magical things.


For the last year, I have worked as the lead grower for the Urban Autism Solutions (UAS) Growing Solutions Farm. In this role, I provide vocational training in landscaping, market sales, food safety, and sanitation just to name a few. I also teach and reinforce transferable job skills such as showing up to work on time and in uniform, how to behave during break and following directions.

I was initially connected to UAS by Laura Calvert of Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA). I knew of the UAS partnership with Apologue Liquors; the UAS team sold celery root which was made into liquor then sold to bars and restaurants as well as retailers. I knew of their partnership with Rick Baylessā€™ West Loop restaurants; LeƱa Brava and Cruz Blanca. I knew of the work UAS did with participants from their organization as well as Easter Seals of Metropolitan Chicago and various West Side Chicago Public High Schools. I did not know the depth or breadth of the organizationā€™s functions.

UAS is dynamic, comprised of community-based programmings such as the Ā UASĀ West Side Transition Academy,Ā and Washdog Chicago. Programming and staffing are seamless and swift.Ā Thatā€™s the point.Ā Functions change to fit niche needs that are not met by traditional educational systems. To say, however, that our programā€™s participants are the only beneficiaries of our work would be a half-truth.Ā In the last year with UAS, Iā€™ve listened as much as Iā€™ve spoken and learned as much as Iā€™ve taught.

This fall, as we officially close the farm for the season, I look behind me and see so many happy faces. Faces of our participants who learned new and better ways to communicate, who completed personal goals, and developed a renewed sense of self-esteem and determination.


As we look ahead to next summer, please consider stopping by and taking a tour of the farm. Weā€™d love to see you!

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