Once, these 42 flat acres and 78 forested hillside acres were the lifeblood of immigrant farming families, their produce distributed in Pittsburgh's bustling Strip District. But cities, like ecosystems, are in constant flux. Fast forward to the 1950s: enter St. Clair Village, a well-intentioned housing project that, at its zenith, sheltered 1,089 families. But by 2010, the neighborhood hemorrhaged 80% of its population, leaving behind a stark 65% vacancy rate and crumbling concrete. The USDA assigned the neighborhood a "food desert" label, hardly capturing the irony: a land once famed for its apple orchards now bore fruit only in crime statistics and decay. 

Instead of accepting this downward spiral, the community flipped the script. The vision for Hilltop Urban Farm sprouted from the community’s desire to breathe new life into neglected land. As Co-Founder and Founding Executive Director, Sarah Baxendell of ArtEcology led Hilltop Urban Farm from initial concept through full implementation, serving as Lead Designer for the comprehensive transformation of this former federal housing complex. Beginning with the 2015 Master Plan Design, Soil Rebuilding Plan, and Operations Plan, ArtEcology directed all phases of development including the Tree Inventory Report (2016), Community Orchard implementation (2017-2019), nonprofit entity formation and organizational design (2018-2019), Youth Farm construction (2018), and Farmer Incubation Program launch (2019). Through strategic partnerships with over 20 organizations, from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development to local community groups, ArtEcology coordinated 100+ volunteer events engaging 3,000+ volunteers while establishing the operational framework for long-term community-led urban agriculture.

Youth Farm — A living ecological laboratory where local school children play, learn and interact amongst raised beds bursting with fresh produce, in gardens designed for curious young explorers, and in an orchard that doubles as a food forest. It's a delicious education in nutrition, a hands-on masterclass in urban ecology, and a glimpse into the vast possibilities of agricultural careers.

Farmer Incubation Program — Providing for-profit urban farming startups regenerated urban farming acres, solar power, hoop houses, mobile coolers, and a shared tool library. It’s not just about growing crops: it’s about growing a new generation of food producers. The impact? They've quadrupled the amount of fresh produce grown in Pittsburgh.

Urban Orchards — From the soft fuzz of apricots to the gnarled wisdom of fig trees, from the clustered bounty of hazelnuts to the exotic charm of Asian pears, the commercial orchard of 175 fruit and nut trees is a nod to the forest that once blanketed this landscape. Those 52 cider apple trees? They're not just about bringing back a lost local crop; they're about fermenting new economic opportunities with local breweries. And don’t forget the restoration chestnut trees – silent sentinels that whisper tales of the vast forests that once cloaked these hills.

Local Fresh Produce Distribution — Farmers market and food bank partnerships ensure that fresh produce reaches those who need it most. It's a direct assault on neighborhood-based food insecurity.

Soil Restoration — Hilltop Urban Farm faced significant soil remediation challenges when transforming the former St. Clair Village housing project land into productive agricultural space. As the site was developed the compacted soil left behind from the previous buildings and low organic matter content common in Pittsburgh's urban soils was addressed. Soils were rebuilt with compost and cover crops to make it suitable for growing food. This foundational work was essential for converting the former residential development into what has become one of America's largest urban farms.

Hilltop Urban Farm is a blueprint for urban resilience in the face of climate change, economic disparity, and food insecurity. It asks us to reconsider what "productive land" looks like in the 21st century.