Grow Pittsburgh’s Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery, a USDA-certified organic farm and greenhouse in Wilkinsburg, PA, produces more than 25,000 seedlings annually for urban farmers, schools, community gardeners, and home growers. The site also serves as a hub for workforce development, educational programming, and community events. CRAFT partnered with Grow Pittsburgh to support the Plant Sale strategy and visioning for the Garden Dreams space, strengthening program impact, community engagement, and local food access.

Our Approach
CRAFT conducted a detailed analysis of the Plant Sale program, including costs, revenue, and alignment with Grow Pittsburgh’s mission. This involved reviewing two seasons of financial and operational data, interviewing staff and executive team members, and developing recommendations for pricing, revenue goals, and program improvements.

For the Garden Dreams site, CRAFT assessed community needs and programming opportunities through a review of collected feedback, discussions with staff, and research on shared kitchen and workshop models. Recommendations focused on optimizing the space for educational workshops, shared-use kitchen opportunities, and community-centered programming, including operational requirements, equipment, pricing, and governance considerations.

Results
CRAFT delivered a comprehensive written report outlining strategic recommendations for the Plant Sale, including non-competitive pricing, revenue goals, and mission alignment, as well as a visioning plan for Garden Dreams. Recommendations for the site included educational programming, shared kitchen infrastructure, community engagement strategies, and operational guidance to maximize the space’s value to local growers, students, and community members. This work positions Garden Dreams to serve as a sustainable, multi-functional resource for food production, learning, and community connection for years to come.

Location
Pittsburgh, PA

Project Type
Food Systems & Community Engagement

Client Type
Nonprofit

Scale
Local