An opening celebration was held yesterday for a new urban farm and community garden in the Hill District.

On 11/4 acres at the corner of Bedford Avenue and Francis Street, the farm is a project of the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh (which owns the land), the A. Philip Randolph Institute, GTECH Strategies, the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and Grow Pittsburgh.

"We have about 30 folks gardening there," said Julie Pezzino, executive director of Grow Pittsburgh.

Planting began in raised beds on June 19.

"We got such an outpouring of community interest, we had to split the beds in half," Ms. Pezzino said.

"We are the consultant to troubleshoot things like deer and give advice on what to plant and how to plant it," she said. They're growing vegetables, sunflowers and wildflowers. One aim of the project is to employ adults and youth in the neighborhood.

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