Deshawn Willingham leads a team of diverse vegetable growers at Chicago Urban Farm Solutions with a mission to produce high-quality vegetables and businesses centered on community, health and accessibility.

Currently participating in collaborative farming at Legends Farm via the Chicago Botanic Garden’s Windy City Harvest program, at the Star Farm incubator site and on five acres of leased land in Pembroke, the team will formally join forces and enter into a lease agreement for the 20-acre Jongsma Farm. Willingham currently sells to local food pantries, a prescription produce program and local wholesalers.

On behalf of the farmers, The Conservation Fund purchased 20 acres of farmland, including a large steel utility building, storage garages and a single-family home. The utility structure will be converted to a wash-and-pack facility and plans call for construction of a new greenhouse. Located in an unincorporated area of southern Cook County near Sauk Village, this farm is strategically located close to Chicago markets and wholesale buyers.

The farm team has immediate access to the property under a flexible lease. They will meet key financial benchmarks and make infrastructure investments identified in their business plans — putting them in a position to purchase the farm from us within three years once a farmland conservation easement is secured. Using a “buy-support-protect-sell” model, our Farms Fund is providing Chicago Urban Farm Solutions with immediate access to farmland — and a pathway to affordable farmland ownership.

Farmer Vision

Chicago Urban Farm Solutions is dedicated to providing healthy, fresh and organically grown produce in Chicagoland.