We Sow We Grow Project taking back the soil in West Pullman

CHICAGO (WLS) -- When Natasha Nicholes and her family moved to a corner of West Pullman 10 years ago, the land was barren.

But Natasha and her husband, Shomari, saw potential-a vision to transform that empty space into the "We Sow We Grow" project.

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"The mission is to teach people how to grow their own food, while also being a resource and a community builder within West Pullman," Natasha said.

From Memphis to Chicago

Born and raised in Chicago, Natasha was inspired by summer visits to her maternal grandmother, Lula Mae Blackburn, in Memphis, Tennessee.

It was there she learned the value of a "kitchen garden." "My grandmother had a kitchen garden," Natasha explained. "Things like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans. Whatever you would use to make dinner with or lunch. You can go outside, pick whatever you needed to pick and then go inside and cook it immediately."

A year-round commitment

Right now, the ground and soil of the farm's raised garden beds is frozen solid-last year's collard greens are waiting for the spring thaw. But winter doesn't mean a break for the family; their 60 chickens keep them busy all year.

"This is a chicken coop that Taylor Swift helped us buy. She doesn't know she did it! We partnered with Soldier Field to do fundraising during her concerts," Natasha said. "We raised enough money during those three days to buy this chicken coop."

Reclaiming history

The family home-schools their four children, and this farm serves as an extension of the classroom. For the Nicholes family, this is about more than just fresh produce-it's about survival and heritage.

"I feed the chickens. If my mom needs me to, you know, plant stuff, I'll play it put down mulch," said Jessica, the couple's eldest. "It's very important because a lot of people like me don't really know how to do this stuff."

"We want them to be able to survive if anything happens. And we want them to be able to connect to the land the way our ancestors did," Natasha said. "A lot of people, specifically Black folks, have a very, very weird relationship with growing and farming and gardening because of what happened when we were brought over and I want to be able to take that back and own it."

Expanding the 'Green Corridor'

21st Ward Alderman Ronnie Mosley represents West Pullman. He has supported the project's expansion, which recently acquired four additional surrounding lots. The goal is to create a green corridor for the community.

"When you can take a vacant lot and turn it into a real, productive use-something that is going to outlive us and continuously improve our lives-that's the power of community," Mosley said.

It is a legacy of resilience-planting seeds of change in the neighborhood Natasha calls home.

"I see potential. I see families fed. I see kids playing out here and having a good time. I see all of us getting together and being the way I remember when I was growing up," Natasha said.

Today, Natasha is using her voice to advocate for other urban growers because she says the rules around farming in large cities like Chicago are often misunderstood.

You can learn more about the farm or participate in workshops by visiting the We Sow We Grow Project website.