Programs and Updates

Learn more about the work that the Mary Jane Berger Memorial Foundation supports. Listen to audio from kids and adults on the benefits of growing and using herbs.

 

Chefs in Action 2023

Professionals in the culinary world have a lot to teach us about how we can improve everyday life with the use of herbs. The culinary artists and herbal-experts featured in this edition of Chefs in Action share their experiences, passions, and advice regarding herbs, not just as an ingredient in a dish but as a tool for living better!

Chefs in Action 2022

Professionals in the culinary world have a lot to teach us about how we can improve everyday life better with the use of herbs. From simple ingredients that make an impact you wouldn’t expect, to the many ways you can incorporate sustainability and wellness into your lifestyle, the culinary artists and herbal-experts featured in this edition of Chefs in Action share their experiences, passions, and advice regarding herbs, not just as an ingredient in a dish but as a tool for living better!

Chefs in Action 2021

Chefs have unique insight when it comes to herbs and their power to add flavor: to dishes, to communities, and to lives. Chefs in Action talks to chefs and bakers about their food journeys, including how herbs inspire and guide their culinary pursuits. Araina Rueben – Nice To Be Iced An artist at heart, Araina […]

Youth Insights 2019

Students from Woodland Hills Academy, The Brashear Association, and Grow Pittsburgh talk about an herbs that they know and use. Youth Insights Features

Youth Insights 2017

Students from Woodland Hills Academy, Pittsburgh Perry, and Manchester Academic Charter School talk about an herbs that they know and use.

2016 Youth Garden Summit

On August 2, 2016, youth affiliated with Grow Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Braddock Youth Project and Wilkinsburg Youth Project came together to celebrate and share their experiences working in gardens around the city over the summer.

Grow Pittsburgh’s Urban Farmers in Training: 2015 Reflections

Grow Pittsburgh’s Summer Intern Program in Homewood provides local teens with the opportunity to gain summer employment while learning about the value of growing and eating healthy food. Here, the interns from 2015 share their thoughts on gardening, harvesting, fresh food, herbs, and favorite experiences.

Grow Pittsburgh’s Urban Farmers in Training: 2014 Reflections

Grow Pittsburgh’s Summer Intern Program at Braddock Farms provides local teens with the opportunity to gain summer employment while learning about the value of growing and eating healthy food. Here, the interns from 2014 share their thoughts on gardening, harvesting, fresh food, herbs, and favorite experiences.

Grow Pittsburgh’s Urban Farmers in Training: 2013 Reflections

Grow Pittsburgh’s Summer Intern Program at Braddock Farms provides local teens with the opportunity to gain summer employment while learning about the value of growing and eating healthy food. Here, the interns from 2013 share their thoughts on gardening, harvesting, fresh food, herbs, and favorite experiences.

Herb Experts

A weekly radio series about herbs, told by the people who know them best.

The following people all hail from a variety of backgrounds, but each encounters herbs in their daily life. From farmers and doctors to chefs and artists, they share their unique experiences to encourage people to discover the culinary combinations, medicinal uses and fascinating histories of common herbs.

Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Report 2012

In 2012 the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, with support from the Mary Jane Berger Memorial Foundation, created community gardens and collections projects that highlight the positive role of herbs and the benefits of gardening at select library locations across the City of Pittsburgh. CLP also acquired over 200 new texts about herbs and gardening for circulation.

Herbs in Action!

A weekly radio series featuring the Botany in Action Fellows of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, discussing herbs from around the world.

Through their travels, BIA Fellows encounter native species of herbs that are plentiful, have cultural or special significance, and have interesting or unusual uses. Listen as they share their knowledge of and experiences with these herbs as botanists of the world.

Pittsburgh Phillips K-5: A Celebration of our Herb Garden

Students in 1st Grade at Phillips Elementary planted an herb garden in Spring 2011. A week later, they wrote and recorded reflections about their experience and the importance of herbs.

Grow Pittsburgh and FitWits Family Night

On April 28th 2011, children attending Family Night at Propel McKeesport discussed their sensory experiences and relationships with herbs. This project was a collaboration between Grow Pittsburgh, FitWits and The Saturday Light Brigade.

Grow Pittsburgh’s ‘Family Cooking Night’

On April 12th 2011, children attending Family Cooking Night at Pittsburgh Montessori discussed their sensory experiences with the herbs that were a part of their recipe for Indian Curry.