Local Partners Launch Urban Farming & Youth Leadership Initiative in Washington Park

By transforming a vacant lot on South Calumet Avenue into a living classroom, young people were introduced to crucial protective factors to interrupt cycles of environmental stress, trauma, and socioeconomic anxiety. Over the Summer of 2026, South Side Consulting, in close collaboration with The Black Star Project and the Wood Street Collective envisioned a Summer Urban Farming Camp to connect sustainable agriculture with financial capability and green entrepreneurship for 15 local youth. The project evolved into something much deeper: a restorative, nonclinical mental and behavioral health intervention.

Interview content to come

Interview Questions for Vernon Fleming, Director

• Q. What inspired you to start the Summer Urban Farming Camp program?

• Q. What led you to want to work with young people specifically?

• Q. What are the programs/proper names for programs?

  • For ease in writing the story, may we refer to the detailed information in your initial proposal/pdf?

• Q. What are the ages served - youth and adults?

  • From pdf 15 local youth (ages 11–18)

• Q. What are the benefits to mental health and wellness associated with spending time in nature and. How working outdoors such as gardening and caring for land?

• What do you hope the youth come away with?

• Are there plans for a 2nd year of camp?

Questions for Ms. Phyllis:

• How did you get involved in the camp?

• What was the land used for before it was a garden? What are her plans going forward?

• What are her favorite things about hosting the garden

Questions for elders

• Why is this garden important to you, why do you volunteer your time and effort here?

• What history does this property hold in this community, was it always a garden?

Questions for young people?

• What was your favorite thing about the camp?

• What did you learn this summer? Farming? Gardening? Mental Health?