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The Chicago Eco House

Chicago, Illinois

Courtesy of The Chicago Eco House

Based in the South Side Chicago, The Chicago Eco House converts abandoned lots into sustainable flower farms and employs youth to care for and sell those flowers through a CSA (community supported agriculture service) and their shop—Southside Blooms. The Eco House also offers STEM and basic business training to neighborhood youth. Chicago Eco House believes that sustainable environmental practices can play a key role in alleviating inner city poverty.

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This Chicago Couple Turns Vacant Lots into Flower Farms, Employs Local Youth as Florists

Southside Blooms is a non-profit that hires at-risk inner city youth to create farm-to-vase bouquets. Says founder Quilen Blackwell: “This is about eliminating the ghetto.”

Southside Blooms is turning Chicago's vacant lots into flower farms NBC News

Based on the South Side of Chicago, Chicago Eco House transforms vacant lots into solar paneled flower farms. For president and founder, urban flower farmer Quilen Blackwell, it’s about more than just spreading flowers around the city — it’s about connecting to the environment, working with family, creating jobs for at-risk youth, and alleviating poverty through sustainability.

Courtesy of The Chicago Eco House