In the heart of Chicago, shaded by the afternoon shadow of Michigan Avenue skyscrapers, watered by the mist of Buckingham Fountain wafting through the air, is a farm. The surprising site is one of many small, sustainable, organic farms that have been created and are run by Growing Power, an organization that teaches farming and entrepreneurial skills to kids in Cabrini Green, Altgeld Gardens, Roosevelt Square and other places around the city. We take a look inside. Read an interview with Monte Henige, CEO of Tru Fragrance, a fragrance development company that uses ingredients from Growing Power Chicago in their products.

Local vegetables, courtesy of Growing Home.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and First Lady Michelle Obama met on Chicago’s South Side for a day-long food desert tour, announcing plans to build 36 grocery stores in the city’s under-served communities.