Photos: Howard Street Farm Hullabaloo

Hundreds of curious visitors gathered at the Howard Street Farm Saturday evening to learn about and enjoy the new urban farming effort. Guests to the Howard Street Hullabaloo were able to enjoy live music, food, a tour of the grounds, and several educational demonstrations while learning about the farm Saturday.

 "The Talking Farm" singed a Use Agreement with the Skokie Park District to use the two-acre plot of land on the Evanston-Skokie border. The purpose of the farm is to provide local, fresh food, and educational opportunities for the community. Ultimately, produce from the farm will be available to local restaurants, farmers’ markets, schools, food pantries, and individuals.

The farm includes hoop houses, vegetable fields, fruit and nut trees, berry patches, native plants, ornamentals, possibly beekeeping, fish aquaculture, and vermiculture. A small building will house classrooms and a greenhouse. There will also be composting bins, renewable energy systems, a grey water system, a permeable paved courtyard, and a rain water catchment.

"This is tremendous," said Karen Terry, President of the Talking Farm Board, as she looked at the sizeable turnout for the Saturday event. "It just shows that everybody gets it, they understand what the idea is and they like it."