SERVING up Gardens and Farms at GA/GI

The Garden has a Library!

Thanks to Gary Cirrincione and Minette Vaccariello, community gardens are front and center at the Geek Art/Green Innovator's Fest. The Garfield Community Action Team (GCAT), EastField Co-Operative Garden and others will participate by pitching a tent and pitching in to talk to festival-goers about agriculture, local foods and the enjoyment of outdoor gardening. EastField started in 2009 as a Sojourner House program--MOMsgreen project which rescued abandoned lots for children's play space. In the beginning there was so much lost topsoil that raised bed had to be built allowing currently for 1300 square feet shared by 20 families. The FairField Garden mission statement says in part that the organization will promote the use of practical, economical and sustainable gardening methods and share food with neighbors and local food banks. Also at the site will be Garfield neighbor, Healcrest Farm, an east end urban farming legend, who claims to be not only a city green space, but also a healing sanctuary for both people and wildlife.

Healcrest Farm

Healcrest began in 2005 as 15 empty city lots, resurrected by Pittsburgh's URA. Today,with 4 established vegetable/herb/fruit gardens, a young orchard, rainwater collection services and a greenhouse, Healcrest is becoming one the city's most iconic urban garden spaces. (See our event schedule for time and location.)