We’ve been working with communities since the late 1970s to grow food as a strategy to reuse vacant land and stimulate neighborhood reinvestment. In recent years, the Conservancy has worked in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh and various funders to assist communities that seek to utilize their vacant land and start their own community vegetable gardens, or to improve the growing on active sites. Thanks to many community support and many volunteers, active community vegetable gardens exist throughout the region. Grow Pittsburgh has compiled a grower’s map if you are interested in learning more or volunteering at a garden in your neighborhood.
Community Garden Sustainability Fund
The Conservancy and Grow Pittsburgh work together to provide materials to existing community garden groups in Allegheny County to improve their long-term growth and sustainability. Since 2013, we have supported 125+ community gardens with more than $175,000 worth of materials.
Community-focused food garden groups can receive materials such as fencing, raised bed components, compost and topsoil, signage, season extender materials and rain barrels, as well as technical assistance services, to keep their gardens growing well.
For examples of projects and submission guidelines, or to apply to the Community Garden Sustainability Fund, please visit Grow Pittsburgh's Community Sustainability Fund resource page.
Round 1 Application Period: February 15 - March 15, 2024.
Round 2 Application Period: July 1 - August 1, 2024.
Both application rounds are open to any size project provided they fit the specified budget guidelines.
Allegheny Grows
Thanks to funding through the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development, WPC supports Grow Pittsburgh to provide communities in municipalities outside of the City of Pittsburgh the opportunity to implement new vegetable garden sites.
In 2010, Allegheny Grows was launched as an initiative to provide material, technical and educational assistance to communities committed to transforming vacant properties into community gardens. To date, 33 community vegetable gardens have been built throughout Allegheny County, and more than 60 existing gardens supported.
More information on this program and application information can be found on Grow Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Grows page.
City Growers
For those looking to start a community vegetable garden within the City of Pittsburgh, The Conservancy and Grow Pittsburgh can assist communities through the City Growers program. The City Growers program works with communities ready to start sustainable and productive community food gardens in their neighborhoods.
More information on this program and application information can be found on Grow Pittsburgh’s City Growers page.