Across Pittsburgh, youth engage in urban farming summer programs. But they don’t have the chance to come together and learn from their peers.
That will change this year. About 50 youth will come together at Phipps Conservatory Tuesday, August 5 for a first-ever Pittsburgh Youth Garden Summit.
The program will begin with a motivational speech by a former youth participant. Youth will have a chance to play ice breakers and meet their peers before listening to presentations. There will be 5-minute presentations from all participating groups. Groups involved include the Braddock Youth Project, the Children’s Museum, Grow Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory, and Women for a Healthy Environment.
The youth will make their lunch together, creating a salad with produce from their respective sites. After lunch, youth will think critically about their programs and the future of urban farming in Pittsburgh.
“By creating a venue for youth working in urban farming from around the city to come together, we’re able to celebrate their work,” said Jake Seltman, Director of Educational Programming at Grow Pittsburgh. “We can demonstrate to the youth that they are part of a larger movement to grow and eat fresh, local produce in Pittsburgh.”
This year, the event is only open to participating youth. In future years, organizers hope to open it the community.