Terroir du Pittsburgh

This Idea has been incorporated into the Sustainable Urban Farming Initiative. 

Idea Overview

The Pgh Terroir Project is aimed at exploring the environmental qualities of Pgh that make it unique.

Idea Round Up Concept Sheet

Who worked on idea?

Sallyann Kluz, Caitlan Lenahan, Tim Aldinger

What is the idea?

Terroir is a French word that means the earth, but more clearly it means the specific earth on which something grows. For example, an apple that grows on plot in Southeastern PA is different than one that grows in another part of the state or country. Each piece of land has a unique terroir. The Pgh Terroir Project is aimed at exploring the environmental qualities of Pgh that make it unique.

How would idea work?

Youth gain an environmental, social, historical context of their neighborhood by using a piece of land as a laboratory. Thru that land, they will explore:

• Identifying the flora and fauna, both native and non-native by operating a biodiversity experiment
• The geology of the site and understand the impact of the geology on what grows, can be built, etc.
• Doing a mental map of the neighborhood
• Develop the social and historical context thru interviewing community members and neighbors and visiting significant sites in the community
• The goal is to identify and develop a project for the community, be it physical, social or economic. Once several such sites are underway, groups could be brought together to share their experiences and visit each others' sites.

Pluses:

• Meeting neighbors
• Heightened awareness of local issues "Your place in space"
• Understand what makes Pgh and your neighborhood unique
• Opportunities to learn about other areas of the city
• Empower youth with sense of ownership and ability to make changes

Concerns:

• Limited time and resources - How big is this?
• Logistical concerns - good to run multiple sites, but How?
• Needs more refinement - very Big right now - need special curriculum

Community opportunities:

• Youth as audience/participants (Boy Scout/Girl Scout troops, schools, after school)
• Elderly as participants in history/social
• Anyone who is interested in their community/neighborhood