Chicago Tribune

Urban farmers forced off land find new ground to grow

CHICAGO - The wind-whipped rooftop of a converted warehouse in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor might be the last place you'd expect to find fertile farmland, unless you're Jen Rosenthal, founder and owner of Planted Chicago.

"I got my start in farming on the rooftop at Uncommon Ground, the restaurant up in Edgewater," said Rosenthal. It was the first certified organic rooftop farm in the nation.

These days, urban farming is increasingly common, but the burgeoning business sector is not without its challenges, namely space and literal room to grow.

From her rooftop endeavors, Rosenthal began her own business installing and maintaining on-site gardens for chefs and restaurants across the city, including Lula Cafe in Logan Square.

"Three years ago, I

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