THE ROGERS PARK GARDEN GROUP

Editor's note: The Gale School greenhouse is one of those things that many Rogers Park residents have heard about and just as many have not. The secret is out: there is a large greenhouse within Gale School that, sadly, had gone to waste as a storage space for many years. Enter John Hoekwater (of Common Cup) and Neighbors United in New Possibilities, and things have changed quickly in a very short time. John built the planters (almost single-handedly we might add), worked with the school to bring children and volunteers into the greenhouse to grow plants for sale to the community, and then gave those funds to the school to pay for items that, sadly, are unbudgeted. We might also add that John started this project with pretty much zero knowledge about plants and gardening. But he had a passion and purpose thus showing us that sometimes that's all it takes - with a bit of commitment - to get a good distance down the road to success.
(Greenhouse and school photos compliments of Brian Houck.) 

For plant sale dates, click here.

What is the Gale School Greenhouse? 
The Gale School Greenhouse, which is located inside Gale Math and Science Academy, a Chicago Public middle and elementary school located at 1631 W. Jonquil/7650 N. Marshfield has been a working greenhouse since January 2006 when the Rev. John L. Hoekwater, and a non-profit organization, Neighbors United in New Possibilities (NUNP), he runs formed a partnership with the Local School Council at Gale to begin a self funding educational resource program in the Gale greenhouse.  Prior to 2006, the greenhouse was being used to store broken desks, tables and chairs.  John, Neighbors United in New Possibilities, and the school council wanted to develop a self-funding educational program and resource that  would not be dependent upon the school budget.  They also envisioned the greenhouse partnership as a funding source for non-budget school items.  So far, with proceeds from the sale of plants grown in the greenhouse, the partnership has provided two computers and a printer for the parent resource room at Gale; uniforms for the 7th and 8th grade girls volleyball team; and a trophy for the regional champion 7th and 8th grade girls basketball team. Mr. Gregory Roberts, a full time volunteer at Gale Academy who serves on both the local school council and Gale’s ‘No Child Left Behind’ committee, works part-time for NUNP as the greenhouse volunteer and plant watering coordinator.

How many kids are involved? Who are they?
Every year, progress has been made in getting kids involved in the greenhouse.  Currently, Family Matters – a partner Rogers Park non-profit – holds their after school T-Grow program with twelve 3rd graders from Gale.  This group of 3rd graders has planted and cared for a garden area in the greenhouse.  In addition, they water the plants in the greenhouse every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon; have planted flower and vegetable seeds in containers; and have committed to planting flowers in the curb side planters along Howard Street between the El tracks and Sheridan Drive. Second graders from another Family Matters after school program have also planted seeds in the greenhouse. Students from an after school program called ‘Greensleeves’ which is run by the Howard Area Community Center have planted as well. The current Gale art teacher has also involved Gale students and volunteers in the greenhouse.
     Finally, Gale Principal, Mr. Richard Glass, approved the start of an outdoor vegetable garden at Gale to begin with students and adult volunteers in Spring 2009.

Who are the volunteers who work the greenhouse?
Neighbors United in New Possibilities – in partnership with the U.S. Americorp program  - has an Americorp volunteer focused around the greenhouse and in expanding growing opportunities and partnerships in Rogers Park. In addition, the greenhouse receives volunteer seed planters and helpers from the Habitat for Humanity club at Loyola University. They have also received plant growing advice from Brian Houck and Karen McCarthy of the Rogers Park Garden Group.
 

What is growing in the greenhouse?
Flowers, vegetables, and herbs are being grown. The Gale Greenhouse is also growing flowers for the curbside planters located on Howard Street from Sheridan to Ridge. In addition, miscellaneous flowers in flats and containers are being grown for retail sales, along with flowers for hanging baskets and potted plant arrangements. Vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers and herbs are also being grown - all for retail sale.



How is the greenhouse involved in the DevCorp planting bid for the planters along Howard?
There are 3 parts to the bid that were submitted to the Howard Street ‘Special Services Area’ commissioners through DevCorp North. 
1) The Gale Academy greenhouse partnership will receive the retail value of most the plants used in the planters.
2)  The 3rd graders in the Family Matters ‘T-Grow’ program will be planting the plants they planted and cared for in the planters between the El tracks and Sheridan as a fundraiser for summer camp.  They will receive both the retail value of the plants they plant as well as the ‘labor costs’ for the planting they do.
3)  The teen girls in a Family Matters after school program are looking to providing some of the labor and carrying out the planting in the Howard Street planters between the El tracks and Ridge Dr.

When will the greenhouse be selling plants this year? 
Plants will be sold in front of Gale Academy on Saturday mornings from May 9 - June 13, 9 am - noon.
     A small selection of miscellaneous vegetables, herbs, and flowers will be available for sale on Saturday mornings at NUNP’s office – 1507 W. Morse. Ave.
     People are welcome to call Mr. Gregory Roberts at the Gale parent room – 773-534-0268 – during school hours if they would like to come to the school and look over the plants in the greenhouse for purchases.
 
If neighbors want to volunteer or tour the greenhouse who can they contact?Volunteers are welcome! During school days, volunteers can serve anytime between 3 - 7 pm. Volunteers can call either Mr. Roberts in the parent room at Gale – 773-534-0268 or John L Hoekwater at 773-727-3827.  

What will some of the money be used for this year?
The Family Matters T-GRO group will be selling plants this spring in order to raise money needed to send children to summer camp. The children are growing flowers and vegetables from seeds donated by the Ball and Burpee seed companies. The benefits of having the children grow plants are many and include reinforcing the educational curriculum on healthy eating, fostering a connection to nature and geting them involved in caring for a living thing, and empowering them to help themselves achieve a desired  goal ("It'll help us go to camp by making money."). 
     The children would like Rogers Park residents to know that they would love to go to camp because they think that ". . . camp rocks."  "Camp is cool."
     They are taking care of the seeds:  "We potted them. Then we made sure to water them almost every day. When the dirt's green, it's wet and when it's not,  we have to water them. We can only water plants when they're dry. We use fertilizer water to water the plants. Then the plants are going to grow. Then we'll plant some on Howard Street and sell the rest."
     And their favorite part about growing plants?  "The fertilizer part because it's what takes care of the plants."  "Watering because watering is fun."  "Watering because we get to water the parts that are growing flowers." "Watering because it helps the plants to grow."