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Farming in Mt. Washington
by Mountain Girl ~ February 29th, 2008. Filed under: Community, Development, Infrastructure, The View.
I saw an interesting article in the New York Times today about a new urban farming concept being tested in Queens, which inspired me to do a little research on the urban farming movement.
According to Urban Farming, one of the non-profit organizations responsible for driving this movement nationally, they strive to plant organic food on unused inner city land and give the fresh produce to those in need. In addition to being a source for healthy food and alternative energy sources, local youth volunteers come together to tend to the gardens–learning how to till, harness rainwater for irrigation, and create compost.
We need not look outside of Pittsburgh for examples of successful urban farming initiatives. Grow Pittsburgh has initiated farming projects in Garfield, Homewood, Highland Park, and Braddock among others.
Let’s think for a moment about how this can work in our community. Some residents are quick to impose height restrictions on new development in Mt. Washington to protect the integrity of the view. Other residents worry about the environmental impact development could have on the ecosystem. A well-maintained urban farm alleviates both of these concerns while helping to eradicate hunger and engaging inner city youth.
Why not take a vacant lot or dilapidated structure that the City or URA or CDC own and enlist Grow Pittsburgh’s help to create the first Mt. Washington urban community farm?
Image courtesy of growpittsburgh.org.
March 1st, 2008 at 10:30 am
I think is a great idea. Would get some good press also. I think maybe Bigbee field would be the perfect spot. Perfect size. It would be cool to see a huge garden with corn and pumpkins in it in the fall, sunflowers and tomatoes in the summer. Would be something you wouldn’t expect to see with the city in the background… great photo op.
March 1st, 2008 at 10:34 am
i agree with the good press part especially — that’s t he kind of stuff we need - positive image.
Would make us look like we are a forward thinking, hip nieghborhood where other forward thinking people would want to live.
I think the Burt Hill rain garden would have a similar effect.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am
I agree, I just hope they plan on tearing that arch wall down to open the space up.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Bobby, There are gardens on Bigbee, one that was dedicated to Mr. Wick (there is a plaque in his honor) the next one is filled with perennial grasses, a bird bath, lilac bush. Also two peach trees, annuals, a rose garden going down the hill. All the roses were donated to the project by Mr. Wicks family after he passed away. The next garden is filled with annuals, the next is filled with perennials. Every year there is a springplanting and the city of pittsburgh donates mulch, dirt and sometimes railroad ties. most of the flowers etc. were donated by neighbors. But like everything else it takes volunteers. All these ideas are wonderful, but it needs constant maintenance and dedication. I understand this area is planning to get some native small trees and flowering bushes this spring. Lots of Volunteers will be needed to plant and water.
March 1st, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Diane:
Thanks for this information. I don’t know much about the gardens on Bigbee.
I realize any idea is just pie-in-the-sky without someone to implement. That’s the nice thing about an urban farm created by Grow Pittsburgh. They would manage the operations of it.
MG
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
A friend of 15211.org shared these resources with us if you’re interested in reading more about community gardens.
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMZ5X
http://www.engagepittsburgh.org/taxonomy/term/219
http://pittsburghdish.typepad.com/pittsburgh_dish/community_gardens/index.html
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/homegarden/gardening/s_509555.html