Our first hugelkultur build

Today, with the assistance of Annamaria Leon of Permaculture Chicago and HomanGrown, we built our first hugelkultur mound.  Hugelkultur uses layers of logs, branches, sticks, compost and mulch to build new soil for planting. We are using these hugelkultur mounds in our food forest not only for planting but to help us insulate and create micro climates for our fruit trees, protecting them from strong winds and the cold Chicago winters.  Thanks to our great volunteers from the School of the Art Institute: Brenny Chen, Carrie Wright, Zhe Zhang and Taykhoom Biviji. Our students: Jayla, Andre, Anquita, Jason, Shetarius and Drequon. Our recent graduate, Ricardo, Greg Smith of CCA and Annamaria.