Phipps Conservatory’s Homegrown Awarded Funding by Urban Garden Agriculture Resilience Program
For Immediate Release: Thurs., May 19
Contact: Joe Reed | Director of Marketing and Communications
412-622-6915, ext. 3801 | jreed@phipps.conservatory.org
Phipps Conservatory’s Homegrown Program Awarded Funding by the Urban Garden Agriculture Resilience Program
Homegrown Recognized by U.S. Botanic Garden and American Public Gardens Association
Pittsburgh, PA — Community collaborations in urban agriculture are receiving support through a partnership between the United States Botanic Garden (USBG) and the American Public Gardens Association (Association). Under the third year of the Urban Agriculture Resilience Program, 24 urban agriculture collaborations between public gardens and community partners across 19 states are receiving $440,800, the largest amount awarded through the program to date.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, in collaboration with Operation Better Block, is one of the recipient gardens for the Homegrown program. Homegrown is a Phipps program dedicated to increasing community access to fresh produce, promoting better food choices and improving the overall health of families and children. Since its inception in 2013, Homegrown has installed over 300 raised-bed vegetable gardens at households in underserved neighborhoods and provided mentorship and resources to hundreds of community members. “Phipps is excited to continue our work supporting healthy food access through backyard gardening and are thankful to APGA and USGB for supporting these efforts nationally,” said Gabriel Tilove, Phipps Director of Adult Education and Community Outreach. Homegrown will continue to nurture healthy communities as it expands into neighborhoods that are challenged by food insecurity and its significant impacts on health and families. To learn more about Homegrown, visit phipps.conservatory.org/Homegrown.
The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program supports food growing and education activities in urban communities experiencing food insecurity and strengthens their capacity to engage in urban agriculture. In 2022, 73 organizations will participate in the program, representing a wide range of community partnerships including botanic gardens, arboreta, public schools and school districts, universities, parks and recreation departments, youth organizations, community centers, food banks, health centers, urban farms, community gardens, faith-based organizations and small businesses.
“We are so happy to continue this program supporting urban agriculture education and food production among public gardens and partnering organizations across the country,” said Saharah Moon Chapotin, USBG executive director. “Growing food is such an important way to build community and resilience as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and in many food-insecure neighborhoods, having ready access to fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables is equally critical.”
"We are pleased to partner with the USBG on this effort that results not just in thousands of pounds of food being delivered to urban communities but also in furthering our knowledge so as to create and improve hundreds more partnerships like those who have received these awards,” Association Executive Director Dr. Casey Sclar said. “It's simply fantastic!"
The Urban Agriculture Resilience Program began in 2020 as a way for the USBG and the Association to help public gardens continue urban agriculture and food growing programs facing funding and capacity challenges due to COVID-19. Learn more about previous awardees at www.USBG.gov/UrbanAg.
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About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
Watch TEDx: What We Can Learn From an Old Glasshouse: A look at the evolving way we connect people to nature at Phipps, demonstrate how human and environmental health are inextricably connected, and show that to age gracefully, we must continually reinvent ourselves to evolve with the rest of the world.
About the United States Botanic Garden: The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) is the oldest continuously operating public garden in the United States, created in 1820. The USBG informs visitors about the importance and fundamental value and diversity of plants, as well as their aesthetic, cultural, economic, therapeutic, and ecological significance. With over a million visitors annually, the USBG strives to demonstrate and promote sustainable practices. It is a living plant museum accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and Botanic Gardens Conservation International. Learn more at www.USBG.gov.
About the American Public Gardens Association: The American Public Gardens Association is the leading professional organization for the field of public horticulture. We advance the field by encouraging best practices, offering educational and networking opportunities, and advocating on behalf of our members, our programs and public gardens worldwide. We work together with our members and others to strengthen and shape public horticulture, providing the tools and support industry professionals need to better serve the public while preserving and celebrating plants creatively and sustainably. Since 1940, we have been committed to increasing cooperation and awareness among gardens. Our members include more than 600 institutions, spanning 49 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, and 20 countries. Our members include, but are not limited to, botanic gardens, arboreta, zoos, museums, colleges and universities, display gardens, and research facilities. Learn more at www.publicgardens.org.
