Planting Seeds for a Better Tomorrow — From Towers to Tables
Site
1856 N Leclaire Ave, Chicago, IL, 60639
Location: GAPCC Warehouse
Project Started
July 17, 2024
Team
David Barreto — Garden Project Manager
Andre Mckinne — Co-Founder + Youth Lead
Joseph Gray — Youth Lead
Emiliano Alanis — Youth Lead
Jose Beltran — Youth Lead
GARDEN PROJECT: CULTIVATING GROWTH WITH AEROPONIC TOWERS
Thanks to the generous support of Prevention First, and partnership with the Choice Food Pantry, we have been able to bless our community with healthy, fresh vegetables. We have seen what a difference it makes in our neighborhood, our city. That’s what fuels this project — cultivating not only plants but also community resilience and sustainability.
Learn more about Prevention First, and their work: https://www.prevention-first.org/home/
At the heart of this endeavor lies the visionary leadership of Andre McKinnie, whose passion for sustainable agriculture sparked the idea to transform our surroundings into thriving green spaces. Teaming up with our CEO Angelina Zayas, they've hatched a brilliant plan to bring this vision to life right here at the GAP Community Center.
“What sets our garden apart is the innovative use of aeroponic tower technology—a cutting-edge approach to cultivation that defies traditional gardening norms. These towers eliminate the need for soil entirely, harnessing the power of nutrient-rich mist to nourish our plants. The result? A garden that grows faster and yields more abundantly than ever before.”
— Andre McKinnie, Co-Founder + Youth Lead
What we’ve accomplished:
1.
Accelerated Growth, Amplified Impact
By leveraging innovative aeroponic technology, we've doubled our cultivation speed and tripled our crop yield—an exponential leap forward in our mission to promote food security and environmental stewardship. This efficiency allows us to grow more food using less space, water, and time.
2.
Sustainable Farming, Real Results
Our aeroponic towers enable plants to grow up to three times faster than with traditional soil methods. In a matter of weeks, we've successfully harvested a variety of vegetables—including tomatoes, cilantro, bell peppers, arugula, green onions, and more. We're not just growing food—we’re cultivating a reliable, sustainable food source that can feed our community in a fraction of the time it would take in a conventional outdoor garden.
3.
Investing in Youth, Growing Future Leaders
Thanks to support from Prevention First, we’ve been able to hire and mentor local youth, giving them hands-on experience with hydroponic and aeroponic tower systems, as well as plant development and sustainable agriculture. This opportunity has not only provided valuable job skills but has also sparked curiosity and leadership in the next generation. We've even taken students on educational field trips to places like The Forge: Lemont Quarries, where they can explore the connection between environmental science, innovation, and community impact.
