When your model for individual and community development is based upon human interaction, things like a global pandemic really throw a wrench into your work. For Hannah, Jo, and Irvin of our Chicago FarmWorks urban farm, the arrival of COVID-19 forced the team to quickly adapt their nutrition and workforce development programs. It was just in August that the farm was reopened to participants and volunteers, but what they are coming back to is a system that is in some ways more efficient, welcoming, and impactful.
“We are a person first farm, meaning our production model is designed with the people we serve in mind,” said Jo Mathias-Porter, FarmWorks site coordinator. “Not just recipients of the food, but the participants who come in and make this whole place thrive.”
Chicago FarmWorks builds access to opportunity and nutrition through two systems: an in-depth transitional jobs program that provides workforce trainings, and hands-on skill-building through work on the farm itself. As coronavirus spread, the team had to build two new systems at the same time to adapt. To ensure the safety and health of their participants, in-person interactions shifted to telecommunications. To ensure fruitful yields for our community partners, they found ways grow more produce on less land.
“We focused on growing as much as we could – for both our participants and the farm,” said Hannah, FarmWorks project manager. “We provide food to our Vital Bridges food pantries – and lines were only getting longer during this crisis.”
The team also manages two other gardens – one at our Harvest Commons affordable housing development and one with our partners at Inspiration Kitchens. The new systems put in place resulted in an increased production per square foot by 44 percent, placing the farm in a position to meet or – even beat – its highest-ever servings-per-year while using less than half the land and fewer people.
“Those new efficiencies have made a huge difference. Now that we’re able to open up to participants again, that production is just going to skyrocket.”
But FarmWork’s production means little if their participants aren’t growing as well. The workforce development challenges caused by COVID-19 have been similar to what many have faced across the country. Workshops and readiness trainings had to shift toward conference calls, as many did not have sufficient access to internet. Even more, the team had to develop new tactics and strategies to help their participants find and obtain work in the new normal.
“The technology divide is ripping wide open, and so we wanted to make sure people had their resources were saved for job interviews and the like. We’ve had to really focus on learning to be good listeners and good salespeople in a digital world.”
In August, health and safety protocols were in place to begin accepting people back onto the farm – a welcome shift for both staff and participants. It’s particularly nice to work outside this time of year, even with a mask on. The team and the people they serve are out on the farm four days a week, getting their hands dirty, and learning the fundamental skills and norms necessary to find work in the city. Job club is in the afternoons and on Fridays, and everyone agrees that the hands-on experience helps to put job skill theories into practice.
“This has changed everything this year – now we can really work with people at an emotional level,” Hannah said. “Routine has made a huge difference in everyone’s lives, and we can even train on social-emotional learning skills in a way that’s difficult over the phone.”
Perhaps more importantly, the program’s strengths-based philosophy has allowed for a return of community ownership and purpose. FarmWorks exists at a nexus of social problems: food insecurity, health, unemployment, community investment. Every day, the work happening at the farm addresses these issues as our participants and staff work together to create solutions for both individuals and communities.
“You can literally see the impact you make here. Now that we’re firing on all cylinders, we can pack up our vans with produce and it’s full,” Hannah said. “When you know that it goes to Vital Bridges food pantries, we’ve really seen how participants are emotionally impacted by that. It’s such a powerful experience.”
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