Hannah Hernley, Chicago FarmWorks Program Supervisor, has farming in her blood. With an extensive background in agriculture and community farming, Hernley sees the impact that a people-first farm can have on its surrounding communities. This year, the FarmWorks team creatively pivoted due to COVID-19 and, despite this new challenge, is harvesting a feast of tomatoes, eggplants, onions, garlic, cucumbers, lettuce, jalapenos, bell peppers, and more. Recently welcoming volunteers back onto the farm, Hernley shares part of her roots and why this work matters today.
How did you get into this work?
I grew up on a 2,000-acre farm in Central Pennsylvania. I like to say that I’ve got farming in my blood. It’s very much a part of who I am, and who I want to continue to be. I grew up loving the idea that by farming, we were helping to aid the world and I was part of something bigger than myself at a young age. As I grew older, I realized that I wanted to continue this work at amore localized level. The connection to the earth that you receive through gardening and farming makes you a better steward of it. It makes you care about climate change and environmental issues in a new way. Interacting with the land increases your awareness of these things, so it was important to me to incorporate not only crops but people in the community. Previous to Heartland Alliance, I studied sustainable agriculture in college and saw my passions coming together. I also worked in the lower 9th ward of New Orleans in a community garden located in a deserted plot, growing food and distributing it to the neighbors at no cost. This small experience led me to realize that this work has to be done on a bigger scale. I found an opportunity to continue this work at Heartland Alliance and Chicago FarmWorks.
Why is this work important to the community and those we serve?
FarmWorks is centered around community and puts people first. Through our wonderful partnership with Vital Bridges, even the farm’s location was chosen very strategically. Location is key and good food access is key. At the farm we distribute within 24 hours after harvesting, trying to keep the food as close to its peak nutritional value as it can be.
Our farm is a people first farm. Our goal is to engage participants in caring for the environment, finding a job that is meaningful, and developing opportunities to create impact for a neighbor. The farm is a place where people connect with eachother. When you’re on the farm, we’re all on an equal playing field. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been farming – whether its two hours, ten days, or a lifetime – when you’re outside and it is really hot, and the weeds are hard to remove, and you’re smelling the same tomatoes, it all evens us out. We all get to experience the same physical thing at the same time. In a time when our city and country are so divided, this space and experience brings people together.
Was there a moment where you knew you were in the right job?
Recently, we’ve had a few harvest days where we collect part of the food. There’s really nothing else like it, especially when we have participants on site with the food washed and loaded up onto a truck after a long day. That moment at the end of the day when everything is loaded up in the van, everyone gets to truly stop and look at what is inside. It’s this collective moment of “Look what we did together.” There’s laughter and a sense of common good as we gather around laughing and some people are taking selfies. Seeing the pride in other people of the work they’ve accomplished reminds me that this is the reason we do what we do.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Harvest days are always my favorite days, but I especially love engaging with the community at Harvest Commons. They have created this wonderful community of people who love their garden and love their chickens. It’s their space, we just work alongside them. This existing structure and community based on culture, the garden, and the chickens was what welcomed me in when I started in March has been a favorite part of my time so far.
How can others get involved in your work?
We are just beginning to open up to volunteer groups and having volunteers on the farm since the onset of COVID-19. Celeste Johnson, cejohnson@heartlandalliance.org, coordinates this effort so reach out to her if you are interested in learning more. We welcome you to this and encourage you to learn more about local agriculture through Advocates for Urban Agriculture, a great resource for farmers, or enthusiasts, to learn more about urban agriculture in Chicago.
