• Posted: September 25, 2024
• Adelante Construction Group, better communities, better construction, Electrical infrastructure, IBEW Local 134, Jessica Baturin, Just Roots, Matthew Andersen, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), operational efficiency, St. James Community Farm, sustainability, urban agriculture

An urban agriculture revolution is taking root in the heart of Chicago thanks to an organization called, Just Roots. Just Roots collaborates with Chicago communities to develop and expand access to local, sustainably grown food. Powering Chicago member contractor Adelante Construction Group LLC recently teamed up with Just Roots at St. James Community Farm to provide the electrical infrastructure to maximize the farm’s output this summer. 

Illuminating Urban Green Spaces

St. James Community Farm is more than just a local food source. Cinnamon Sanchez, Operations Manager for Just Roots explains the farm provides educational and volunteer opportunities along with a wide variety of community-building events.

“Our farm is here as a green space for folks to just come and walk through and enjoy and experience. It poses as a great environmental space to combat climate change within inner city areas as well,” Sanchez said.

Powering Chicago recognized the potential of this project and contacted Adelante Construction Group to step in to provide crucial electrical support.

“We are a woman-and-Hispanic-owned, certified business. We provide commercial inside electrical construction, and we have diverse capabilities in a local Chicago. This site was right in my backyard, and we definitely wanted to get involved and help out,” Jessica Baturin, Owner and CEO of Adelante Construction said.

The farm’s impact extends beyond its immediate surroundings. It serves as a model for urban agriculture, demonstrating how cities can integrate green spaces that contribute to food security, environmental education, and community well-being. Adelante Construction’s electrical solutions support these diverse functions, from powering educational displays to ensuring proper lighting for community events.

Energizing Community Growth

The collaboration between Powering Chicago member contractor Adelante Construction and Just Roots exemplifies our members’ commitment to supporting local initiatives that promote sustainability and community development. Adelante Construction’s team worked closely with Just Roots and the St. James Community Farm to identify their electrical needs and implement solutions that would maximize their output and efficiency. 

“We just got the call, and I came and did the walk through. We talked about a few options that they could do for bringing the air conditioning into their houses, or a few other options they want for lighting in the area. They still want to do a solar option, and we’re very into green power here,” Matthew Andersen, Senior Project Manager, Estimator at Adelante Construction said.

Powering Diversity in Urban Agriculture

St. James Community Farm is committed to growing a diverse range of crops that reflect the cultural diversity of the community it serves. They cultivate nearly 30 different crops, offering a wide variety of fresh, locally grown produce to community members.

“Part of the reason that we grow 29 different crops is that when people are picking up produce every week or every other week, we want to make sure that we provide them with a diverse selection of what we are able to grow here in Illinois and in the city,” said Tommy Elwell, St. James Community Farm Manager.

This diversity not only provides nutritional variety but also helps to engage a broader cross-section of the community, making the farm a truly inclusive space.

Powering Chicago’s Impact: From Farm to Fridge

One of the most significant challenges St. James Commuity Farms faced was maintaining proper storage for harvested produce.

“Just having on-site refrigeration allows us  to have so much more flexibility, both in terms of our other distribution channels, but also the things that we’re able to donate,” Elwell said.

These improvements not only improve the farm’s operational efficiency but also expands its capacity to serve the community. The ability to store produce longer means less waste, more consistent supply, and the opportunity to reach more people with fresh, locally grown food.

Energizing Sustainable Urban Development

St. James Community Farm is an example of what’s possible when local expertise meets community initiative. Powering Chicago is proud to play a role in partnership with Adelante Construction to provide the electrical infrastructure that allows these green spaces to thrive. We are also proud to support Just Roots’ mission of building a more sustainable, resilient, and food-secure Chicago.

Learn more about Powering Chicago’s commitment to better construction, better careers and better communities on our website. You can also learn more about our member contractors, like Adelante Construction, by using our Find A Contractor tool.