Progress report for ONE24-454
Project Information
Building on the success of Chatham University's Bio-Intensive, Regenerative Market Garden Project (BIRM) and the previously funded SARE Partnership Grant Growing Growers (ONE22-425), the BRIDGES project aims to cultivate equitable local food systems in Pittsburgh by deepening connections between Chatham's Eden Hall Campus Farm and a group of intersectional, diverse urban farmers. BRIDGES will establish a pilot, multi-farm produce aggregation model and a collaborative seed saving hub focused on culturally-relevant crops.
The project objectives are to:
- Develop a cooperative produce aggregation model that aggregates produce from urban farms, increasing market access and providing an affordable produce for customers.
- Create a seed saving initiative to preserve and share culturally-significant plant varieties, foster knowledge exchange, and strengthen relationships among farmers.
Key components of the plan of work include:
- Convening community of practice meetings for participating farmer partners
- Developing crop planning guides and marketing strategies for the produce aggregation model
- Conducting seed saving workshops and coordinating a shared seed library at Chatham University’s Eden Hall Campus Farm
- Assessing financial viability and true cost accounting of the produce aggregation model and seed saving initiatives
- Evaluating project impact on farmer relationships and regional food sovereignty
Outreach will engage the broader community through developing a produce aggregation model, facilitating workshops workshops, and dissemination of project findings via conferences and publications. By centering the experiences of diverse urban farmers and fostering collaboration, BRIDGES seeks to create a more vibrant, just, and resilient local food system in Pittsburgh.
Objective 1: Establish a cooperative multi-farm produce aggregation model that aggregates produce from at least 3 farms in Pittsburgh, including Oasis Farm and Fishery, Eden Hall Farm, Farmer Girl Eb. The project expects to have at least two solidified markets/purchasers by the end of the 2-year project period.
Objective 2: Create a collaborative seed saving initiative that engages at least 6 urban farmers in the preservation, sharing, and propagation of at least 10 culturally-relevant crop varieties. This initiative will include the establishment of a shared seed library at Chatham University, 3 hands-on workshops, and participatory variety trials over the course of the project.
Objective 3: Develop a vibrant community of practice that brings together at least 12 urban farmers, including women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ growers, through at least 10 meetings. These meetings will include knowledge-sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and collective action to promote a
more equitable and resilient local food system in Pittsburgh. There will be two main community of practice groups that are led by three farmers in stipend positions and coordinated by Livingston.
Objective 4: Assess the economic viability and social impact of the produce aggregation model and seed saving initiative through participatory evaluation methods, including surveys, focus groups, and sales data analysis, to demonstrate the benefits and challenges of these collaborative approaches for at least 3 participating urban farms and wholesale produce customers.
Objective 5: Disseminate project findings and lessons learned to the broader community through at least 2 on-farm workshops, 1 conference presentation, and 2 publications (e.g., SARE Bulletins, fact sheets, case studies) to inspire and inform the adoption of cooperative produce aggregation models and collaborative seed saving initiatives among urban farmers, community organizations, and local food advocates in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Pittsburgh, known as the "City of Bridges," is a place where neighborhoods are connected through dozens of physical bridges, yet substantial divisions, racial segregation, and inequitable access to essential resources like food, housing, and sustainable livelihoods persist. The city's history of redlining and discriminatory policies has led to the concentration of poverty and food insecurity in certain neighborhoods, disproportionately affecting communities of color. Despite the growth of urban agriculture initiatives in Pittsburgh, there remains a lack of coordination, resources, and support for urban farmers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups.
The BRIDGES project seeks to address these challenges by building upon the successes of Chatham University's Bio-Intensive, Regenerative Market Garden (BIRM) Project and the previously funded SARE Partnership Grant Growing Growers, which centered the needs and priorities of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers in Pittsburgh. The project aims to cultivate equitable local food systems by deepening connections between Chatham's Eden Hall Campus Farm and diverse urban farmers who are leading the way in regional food sovereignty and food justice efforts. This project builds on a legacy of food sovereignty work in North America that centers the importance of mutual aid and BIPOC self-determination (see Penniman, 2018; White, 2018).
The proposed solution is twofold:
- Establish a micro, multi-farm produce aggregation model: The BRIDGES project will develop a cooperative produce aggregation model that aggregates produce from urban farms, including Oasis Farm and Fishery, Eden Hall Farm, Farmer Girl Eb and other like-minded farmers in the region. This collaborative approach will increase market access for small-scale urban farmers and provide a convenient, one-stop share for customers seeking fresh, locally-grown produce. While some urban farmers may not be able to provide an entire offering for a wholesale purchaser, this model would allow for planning and coordination to aggregate produce to increase opportunities for revenue generation and increasing community access to fresh produce. By pooling resources and expertise, the produce aggregation model will explore the financial benefits of cooperation and support the expansion of the model to food apartheid neighborhoods in Pittsburgh like Homewood, the Northside and West End. Numerous charity-based models of food distribution exist in Pittsburgh, but this justice and sovereignty centered approach that elevates women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ growers can support intersectional sustainable community engagement.
- Create a collaborative seed saving hub focused on culturally-relevant crops: The BRIDGES project will establish a seed saving initiative to preserve and share culturally-significant plant varieties, foster knowledge exchange, and strengthen relationships among farmers. Building on the expertise of Ujamaa Cooperative Farming Alliance and their existing partnerships with Chatham University, the project will coordinate workshops, develop a shared seed library, and support the propagation of seedlings for crops like okra, collards, bok choy, green onions, and garlic. By emphasizing the importance of culturally-relevant crops and the preservation of agricultural heritage, the seed saving hub will contribute to the resilience and sustainability of Pittsburgh's local food system and help farmers like Abdulkadir Chirambo of the Somali-Bantu community and Rafael Vencio of the Filipino community in Pittsburgh help others access and preserve culturally relevant foods.
The BRIDGES project will be guided by a communities of practice framework (Lave and Wenger, 1991; Wenger 1998; Wenger, McDermott & Snyder, 2002; Murakami, Hendrickson and Siegel, 2107) that was cultivated in the previously funded Growing Growers SARE Partnership Grant, which centers farmer experience and knowledge and builds agency and self-determination. Through community of practice meetings, participating farmers will share their expertise, collaborate on problem-solving, develop a shared vision for the project's implementation, and manage the budgets allocated to the two priority areas. This approach recognizes the valuable contributions of urban farmers and seeks to amplify their voices and leadership in the local food movement in solidarity with faculty from Chatham University.
The project's objectives will be achieved through a participatory action research approach, with a focus on relationship-building, collective learning, and community engagement. Key components of the plan of work include convening monthly community of practice meetings, developing crop planning guides and marketing strategies for the produce aggregation model, conducting seed saving workshops, assessing the financial viability of the initiatives, and evaluating the project's impact on farmer relationships, community resilience, and food sovereignty. Evaluation and research products and publications will highlight the philosophy and approach to these two initiatives and celebrate new knowledge and insights for engaging in Agroecology movements in North America through participatory methods.
Outreach and education will be integral to the success of the BRIDGES project. The project team will engage the broader community through collaborative marketing, educational workshops, and the dissemination of project findings via conferences and publications. By showcasing the collaborative efforts of diverse urban farmers and highlighting the importance of preserving agricultural heritage and biodiversity, the project aims to raise awareness and build support for a more equitable and sustainable local food system.
In conclusion, the BRIDGES project seeks to address the persistent challenges of food insecurity, inequitable access to resources, and the lack of support for urban farmers in Pittsburgh. By developing a cooperative produce aggregation model and a collaborative seed saving hub, the project aims to create a more vibrant, just, and resilient local food system that centers the experiences and knowledge of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers. Through a communities of practice framework and a participatory action research approach, BRIDGES will foster agency, self-determination, and collective action among urban farmers, ultimately contributing to the broader movement for food justice and sovereignty in Pittsburgh and beyond.
Cooperators
Research
The BRIDGES project will employ a participatory action research approach and a communities of practice framework to achieve its overall goals of establishing a multi-farm CSA model and a collaborative seed saving hub. The project will be carried out over two years, with a focus on relationship-building, collective learning, and community engagement.
Objective 1: Develop a cooperative CSA model that aggregates produce from urban farms to increase market access and provide a combined share for customers.
Methods:
- Murakami Convene monthly community of practice meetings with the core group of partner farms (n=6-8) to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective decision-making. Meetings will be facilitated using participatory methods that entail shared agenda setting to ensure equitable participation and idea generation. Key decisions for market analysis, purchasing, planning, and materials will be made by consensus in these meetings.
- Conduct a preliminary market analysis to assess consumer demand, pricing, and distribution options for the CSA. This will include a survey of potential customers (n≥20) and 1-2 focus groups with community members (with 6-8 participants each) to gather qualitative data on preferences and barriers to participation. The core partner farms will be actively involved in the design and implementation of these research activities.
- Develop a crop planning guide and production schedule in collaboration with the core partner farms. This will involve mapping out the seasonal availability of crops, coordinating planting and harvesting, and ensuring a diverse mix of products for the CSA shares.
- Establish a CSA management system, including member registration, payment processing, and communication protocols. This will be done using a combination of online tools (e.g., Google Forms, Square) and in-person coordination among the core partner farms.
- Monitor and evaluate the CSA's performance throughout the growing season. This will include tracking memberships, customer retention, and farmer satisfaction using a combination of quantitative (e.g., sales data) and qualitative (e.g., interviews, reflection sessions) methods. The core partner farms will be actively involved in the analysis and interpretation of these data during community of practice sessions.
Objective 2: Create a collaborative seed saving hub focused on culturally-relevant crops to preserve biodiversity and strengthen relationships among farmers.
Methods:
- Conduct a needs assessment with the core partner farms to identify priority crops and seed saving goals. This will involve a survey (n≥10) and follow-up interviews (n≥5) to gather data on farmers' current practices, challenges, and aspirations related to seed saving.
- Organize a series of seed saving workshops and field days to provide hands-on training and facilitate knowledge exchange among farmers. These events will cover topics such as seed selection, cleaning, storage, and germination testing, and will be led by experienced practitioners from the core partner farms and other partner organizations and will be hosted at the Eden Hall Campus or other Partner Farms.
- Establish a shared seed library and database to catalog and track the availability of culturally-relevant crop varieties. This will involve creating a standardized system for labeling, storing, and distributing seeds among the core partner farms, with the potential to expand to other interested farmers in the future. Some of these material resources and building infrastructure exist at Eden Hall. Funds will be used to by other materials such as screens, packaging, drying racks, etc.
- Monitor and evaluate the impacts of the seed saving hub on farmers' knowledge, skills, and attitudes. This will involve pre- and post-assessments of workshop participants, as well as annual reflections and discussions with the core partner farms to track changes over time.
Objective 3 and 4:
Throughout the project, data will be collected and analyzed using primarily qualitative and participatory methods, with a focus on generating insights and actions that are meaningful and relevant to the core partner farms. The Project Coordinator will support project evaluation along with Murakami and Livingston. This will include analysis of community of practice meeting notes, evaluations from any events, and annual feedback/reflections during community of practice sessions. These evaluations will support reporting for SARE and also be included as data gathering for outreach and journal publications. Drafts of the evaluations are available in the supporting materials. The following questions are included here to demonstrate the types of qualitative data we would ask of the core farmer partners:
Cooperative CSA Model
- How has your involvement in the cooperative CSA model impacted your farming practices and business operations?
- What have been the main benefits and challenges of participating in the cooperative CSA model?
- How has the cooperative CSA model influenced your relationships with other farmers and community members?
- In what ways, if any, has the cooperative CSA model contributed to increased market access and financial stability for your farm?
Collaborative Seed Saving Initiative
- How has your participation in the collaborative seed saving initiative influenced your knowledge and skills related to seed saving and plant propagation?
- What have been the most valuable aspects of the seed saving workshops and training sessions?
- How has the collaborative seed saving initiative impacted your ability to preserve and share culturally-relevant crop varieties?
- In what ways, if any, has the collaborative seed saving initiative strengthened relationships and knowledge-sharing among farmers?
Community of Practice
- How has your involvement in the BRIDGES project community of practice influenced your sense of connection and collaboration with other urban farmers?
- What have been the most valuable aspects of the community of practice meetings and activities?
- In what ways, if any, has the community of practice contributed to a more equitable and resilient local food system in Pittsburgh?
Equity and Inclusion
- How has the BRIDGES project supported the involvement and leadership of women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers?
- In what ways, if any, has the project addressed issues of equity and inclusion in the local food system?
- What additional steps could the project take to further support and empower historically underserved farmers and communities?
Overall Impact and Sustainability
- What have been the most significant impacts of the BRIDGES project on your farming practices, community engagement, and overall well-being?
- How has the project influenced your understanding and commitment to building a more equitable and resilient local food system?
- What do you see as the key factors for sustaining the cooperative CSA model and collaborative seed saving initiative beyond the grant period?
- What additional support or resources would be most helpful for continuing and expanding the work of the BRIDGES project?
Objective 5:
Findings will be shared with the core partner farms and other participating farmers and community members through regular feedback sessions, as well as disseminated to broader audiences through conference presentations, webinars, and written reports. The project team will work closely with the core partner farms to ensure that the research process and outputs are accessible, relevant, and actionable for their needs and goals, and that they are empowered to take ownership of the project's outcomes and impacts. The priority will be present findings or programming from the BRIDGES project at the annual Pasa Sustainable Agriculture. Additionally, academic publications will be submitted to a journal such as Agriculture and Human Values, the Journal of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Community Development, or Food Culture and Society. Draft protocols for assessing the project are included in the supporting materials and will be reviewed and refined by the community of practices.
Education & Outreach Activities and Participation Summary
Participation Summary:
The outreach plan for the BRIDGES project is designed to ensure that the knowledge, insights, and lessons learned from our collaborative CSA model and seed saving initiative are shared effectively with farmers, community members, and key stakeholders who can benefit from this information.
Throughout the project, we will organize and host at least 2 on-farm workshops, inviting local farmers, community gardeners, and food justice advocates to learn about our cooperative CSA model, seed saving practices, and the benefits of collaborative approaches to urban agriculture. These workshops will be held at partner farms, such as Oasis Farm and Fishery and Freeman Family Farms, to showcase real-world examples and create opportunities for hands-on learning and networking. We aim to reach at least 40 participants through these workshops, with a focus on engaging women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ farmers and community members.
To further disseminate our findings and lessons learned, we will develop and distribute at least 2 publications, such as fact sheets and case studies, highlighting the successes, challenges, and best practices of our cooperative CSA model and seed saving initiative. These publications will be made available through our project website, partner organizations' networks, and local agricultural extension offices.
A key component of our outreach strategy will be presenting our project findings and lessons learned at the Pasa Sustainable Agriculture Annual Conference. This conference brings together a diverse group of farmers, food system professionals, and researchers from across the Northeast United States, providing an ideal platform to share our experiences and engage in meaningful discussions with practitioners facing similar challenges and opportunities. We plan to submit a proposal to present our work at the conference, highlighting the innovative approaches and collaborative spirit of our urban farming partners in Pittsburgh. By sharing our successes, challenges, and lessons learned with this audience, we hope to inspire and inform the adoption of cooperative CSA models and collaborative seed saving initiatives in other communities across the region.
To reach academic and research audiences, we will also seek opportunities to present our work at relevant conferences, such as the joint annual meeting of the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS) and the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS). These presentations will contribute to the growing body of knowledge on urban agriculture, food justice, and community-based food systems, while also providing a platform to highlight the innovative work being done by our urban farming partners in Pittsburgh.
Throughout the project, we will collaborate closely with our partner farms and organizations to develop outreach materials and strategies that are accessible, culturally relevant, and responsive to the needs and interests of our target audiences. By centering the voices and experiences of historically underserved communities and leveraging the networks and expertise of our diverse project team, we aim to create an outreach plan that not only informs but also inspires and empowers farmers, community members, and advocates to adopt and adapt cooperative CSA models and collaborative seed saving initiatives in their own contexts.