Please provide a brief update on your progress toward your proposed CWB goals in the last reporting period:
Urban Growers Collective focused January on reviewing applications for the Grower Apprenticeship program. Applications closed on January 05, 2024, and UGC received 26 application form responses from prospective apprentices interested in joining the 2024 cohort. UGC expects to accept about 16 total apprentices to join as a cohort, making 2024 the first growing season with all 3 cohorts of apprentices running concurrently. During January, UGC is also confirming participation for returning apprentices who joined our first cohort in 2022 (returning for year 3) and 2nd cohort in 2023 (returning for year 2).
What constraints or limitations, if any, did you experience in the last reporting period?
Substantive work with Apprentices does not begin until late February, aligned with program and seasonal planning for urban agriculture in Chicago.
What opportunities, if any, did you take advantage of in the last reporting period?
N/A
Did you establish new CWB relationships/partnerships in the last reporting period?
No
Please describe the relationships you established pertaining to your CWB work.
Did you collaborate with other TA providers in the last reporting period?
Yes
Which TA provider(s) did you work with?
Upside Down Consulting
Please share on behalf of whom / which projects you collaborated with the TA providers above:
Planning calendar for
Did you attend the Working Group meeting last month?
Yes
How would you rate the usefulness of the working group to your project last month? (on a scale of 1-5)
2
Optional Space
Community Area(s) (select all that apply)
| Community Area | Participants Served in this Community Area |
|---|---|
| N/A - no participants served | 0 |
Race / Ethnicity of Participants (select all that apply)
Other Race/Ethnicity (please specify)
N/A No participants confirmed in program in January, planning
Gender identity of Participants (select all that apply)
Age Range of Participants (select all that apply)
How many sessions of one-on-one consulting to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. one group or individual with one training provider)?
0
How many group workshops for Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you conduct this reporting period? (e.g. convenings, workshops, events, etc.)
0
How many hours of support to CWB Pre-Development Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
0
How many hours of support to existing Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers did you provide this reporting period?
0
How many co-op businesses did you develop last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
How many jobs were created overall last reporting period? (It's okay if the answer is 0)
0
Please list the Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers Organizations you worked with this reporting period.
Other organization (please specify):
none
What type(s) of Technical Assistance did you provide to Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period? Select all that apply.
Did you provide education to any Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers this reporting period?
No
What are the greatest needs that your WC clients/partners expressed in this reporting period?
None in January, participant application reviews
What are the greatest gaps in service or resources in Chicago's CWB ecosystem?
n/a
Please share any direct testimonials from Worker Cooperatives, Conversions, or Co-op Developers clients or storytelling about the impact of your work this period:
n/a
Please upload media (document with testimonials, photos, or video links) from WC workshops or events held.
Did your organization provide any additional TA support this reporting period that was NOT covered in the previous tabs?
Yes
Please describe the type(s) of organizations you supported (i.e. nonprofits, business service orgs, etc.)
UGC focused on outreach and administration of program participants in the Grower Apprenticeship program for 2024, including all 3 cohorts.
How many total organizations or entities did you support (that were not covered in the previous tabs)?
26
How many total hours of support did you provide to these organizations?
40
Please share any other relevant details about the support you provided these organizations:
26 individuals applied for the program, and estimating approximately 40 hours in reviewing applications and preparing curriculum for the year to align with cohort needs.
