How does Natasha Nicholes's approach to community gardening with the Union Avenue Community Garden stand out?

I focus on gardening as a way to rewrite the story people tell about Chicago, especially the South Side. The Union Avenue Community Garden isn’t just about food; it’s about proving that good, generous, neighborly life exists here and is thriving.

My approach is very relationship-centered. Neighbors stop by, introduce themselves, bring their kids, ask questions, and learn as we build together—beds, soil, chickens and all. People see better days reflected back at them, just from growing food in an “urban” space.

I’m also transparent about the hard parts: losing motivation, feeling overwhelmed, and then being lifted by community support and partners. That honesty helps people see themselves as part of the work, not just recipients of it.

Would you like me to focus more on the food and gardening techniques, or on the community-building side?