A Garden Primer:

Don't know the first thing about vegetable gardening, but want to learn? Never even picked up a spade? Fear not - A Garden Primer will cover all the basics, including which tools beginner gardeners will need, what and where to plant, and when to harvest. In addition, those taking part in the course will be given step-by-step instruction on everything from starting a compost to properly transplanting seedlings. Whether working with a spacious backyard or an apartment balcony, participants will receive specialized advice and guidance to get their vegetable gardens going whatever the space. 

The classes will be taught by Grow Pittsburgh Staff: Director of Education Josh Burnett, Braddock Farms Manger Marshall Hart, Frick Greenhouse and Shiloh Farm Manger Jane Olszewski and our Edible Schoolyard Garden Coordinators Courtney Thrall and Maria Bowman.

To secure your place in a class and make your payment online visit Showclix.com and select from either our January, February, or March sessions.

Free childcare provided during the class for children under 12 years old. We also will have a limited number of scholarships available to cover the cost of the course.  Applications are available at our office: 5429 Penn Ave and can be downloaded here.

Admission to our Garden Primer course is a great, unique and useful gift for the holidays!

DATES: 

Thursdays: January 12, 19 & 26

Tuesdays: February 7, 14 & 21
Mondays: March 12, 19, & 26

TIME: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

LOCATION: East Liberty Presbyterian Church
116 S Highland Ave.
East Liberty

Night of the class:  Enter the church on Highland Ave.

COST: $60 ($50 for Grow Pittsburgh Members).
Cost includes a detailed resource manual and dinner provided by Chipotle. Payments can be made via Showclix, or by sending a check to Grow Pittsburgh at 5429 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206  

Organic Seed Growers & Trade Association, et al. v. Monsanto,

In an effort to preserve organic seeds and ultimately organic foods The Public Patent Foundation filed suite against Monsanto Company to invalidate the chemical giant's patents on genetically modified seed.  The first step of the case takes place on January 31st where farmers, seed growers and related organizations will attend a hearing in Manhattan  to voice their grievances towards Monsanto and to fight for their case to go to court. 

To find out more information about the potentially landmark case and what you can do please see the following links:

Announcement from Fedco seed company a plaintiff in the case.

Announcement from Public Patent  Foundation- the organization actually pursuing the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs.

Additional detail from Public Patent Foundation with related documents and resources.

Ikea's Life Improvement Project:

Thank you all for texting in your vote to Ikea to help us win $10,000 in Ikea Products for our Edible Schoolyard Program and our office.

We'll keep you posted on the results!

Our Winter Newsletter is Here!

Check it out for our latest program updates, internship opportunities, ways to support Grow Pittsburgh, and even how you can start planning your spring garden now!

Grow Pittsburgh's First Organizational Video!

We were thrilled when the interns at New Perspective asked to film a video for us. 

Take a look!

We are excited to announce our new Business Membership program! 

This is a great new way for businesses of all sizes to support communities where they live and work by becoming a member of Grow Pittsburgh. 

Annual membership allows businesses to enjoy fantastic membership privileges and be recognized as a community leader, all while supporting neighborhood development, a healthy environment and urban agriculture.

Grow Pittsburgh's Business Members provide critical support to us while demonstrating their commitment to local urban agriculture, healthy eating education, and sustainability for the region. Business Members enable us to provide funding for our five programs, including our Edible Schoolyard, Youth Intern and Community Gardening programs, and further our mission to demonstrate, teach and promote responsible urban food production.

Join the growing community supporting Grow Pittsburgh and align your business with the leading non-profit dedicated to urban food production and education in the city of Pittsburgh. In appreciation of your support, we are pleased to provide unique recognition and benefits.

Please contact Kate Hickey, Director of Business Development at 412-362-4769 or khickey@growpittsburgh.org to discuss opportunities to partner with Grow Pittsburgh

 

Just launched!

Up to date, interactive map of active Pittsburgh Community Food Gardens

Check it out to find community gardens near you where space is available & contact info for garden coordinators.


Learn more about our community gardening program here.



 

Announcing Let Us Eat! A Grow Pittsburgh Dinner Series

 

This year we've created an opportunity for you to support us through a joyous activity we all love: eating! Grow Pittsburgh is proud to announce Let Us Eat!, a monthly restaurant dinner series in partnership with some of your favorite Pittsburgh restaurants. The 2nd Thursday of every month, we will give you a chance to check out a fabulous Pittsburgh restaurant, eat great food, and support Grow Pittsburgh in the process! Ten percent of sales from each night will go directly to our organization!

 

Click here for a full list of all the participating restaurants and dates for 2012 So mark your calendars, treat yourself (and a few of your closest friends) to a night out, and support sustainable urban agriculture in your community at the same time!

 

 


La Prima Espresso Grow Pittsburgh Coffee!


Grow Pittsburgh is excited to announce the launch of two coffee blends roasted exclusively for our organization by local business partner La Prima Espresso Company in the Strip. For each pound purchased, $1 will be donated to support our mission.
 
Grow Pittsburgh Bold and Smooth blends are available now for purchase online at www.laprima.com and at a variety of coffee shops and markets, including Grow Pittsburgh partners , Whole Foods Market, Soergel's, McGinnis Sisters Monroeville and many more!
Businesses where you can buy the beans by the pound:
  • Bryant Street Market
  • Frick Park Market
  • Whole Foods
  • Harvest Valley Farms
  • Soergel's
  • Cozy Cafe
  • Strip La Prima ( Our Coffee Bar)
  • McGinnis Sisters Monroeville
  • Carol Anderson
 Businesses that serve our coffee:
  • Enrico's Biscotti
  • Spoon
  • Piper's Pub
  • Common Plea Catering @ the Mansions on 5th Ave.
  • Strada
  • Pennsylvania Certified Organic
  • Cafe Solstice
  • Javo Studio's
  • East End Food Co-Op
  • Wild Rosemary Bistro
We will be keeping an updated list of distributors carrying our coffee so check back often.
 

Support Grow Pittsburgh’s Work!

 
Becoming an Annual Member of Grow Pittsburgh allows you to support local sustainable agriculture while demonstrating your commitment to building healthier and stronger communities in Pittsburgh. Our work empowering and supporting urban growers and increasing the urban farmland in our city relies on the generous support of committed individuals.
 
The Annual Membership Program’s different levels of membership provide an opportunity to directly support our farms and programs at all levels of giving. For example, your donation could be used to build garden beds for our community gardens in places like Larimer and Millvale, or to purchase beneficial insects to combat pests in our Greenhouse at the Frick, or even to help pay the salary of the urban youth participating in our summer internship program. As the summer gets underway our production and programs are kicking into high gear, becoming a member today will help us make this season even more beneficial and bountiful than the year before. Your support is invaluable to us.
 
 
Like what you see? Want to support our programs?
      
Click here for a map of Grow Pittsburgh's projects!