Largest Urban Farm Planned in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania will soon be home to the nation’s largest urban farm. The Hilltop Urban Farm will open in 2019, consisting of 23 acres of farmland in an area previously occupied by low income housing just two miles from the city center. Advocates say the move is part of a trend to transform former manufacturing cities into green gardens. Reuters reports that on top of farmland where winter peas and other fresh produce will be grown by local residents and sold in the community, the farm will feature a fruit orchard, a youth farm and skills-building program. The urban farmland will also eventually have a trail system. The farm is believed to be the largest farm in the nation to be located in an urban area. The farm will be open to locals and organizers say it will help bring fresh food to surrounding areas that often lack options. The $9.9 million Hilltop Urban Farm is funded by foundations, primarily the Henry L. Hillman Foundation.