Welcome to #CLPSpotlights, our monthly series highlighting individuals and organizations that make a difference in their community. This month, we interviewed two valuable members of the Pittsburgh community. The first, Alyssa Kail, is the Community Garden Network Manager at Grow Pittsburgh, an organization that that teaches people how to grow food and promote the benefits gardens bring to our neighborhoods. The second person we interviewed is Gabe Tilove, the Associate Director Adult Education and Community Outreach at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, an organization that educates Pittsburgh on diverse plant life and healthy choices at their beautiful locations and beyond.
Alyssa Kail, Grow Pittsburgh
Q. How has your work evolved during the pandemic to meet the community’s needs?
A. Like so many things, the programs, workshops, and meetings I help coordinate all pivoted from being in-person to online. A great example is our annual Celebration of Seeds event, which had to be reimagined in 2021 from being one large event into many smaller low- or no-contact events around the county. This year we’re looking forward to some in-person seed swapping and workshops in partnership with Phipps Conservatory and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
Q. What is your favorite part of what you do?
A. As the Community Garden Network Manager, my work is focused on building and supporting the network of community gardeners in Allegheny County. I don’t get out from behind my computer as often as I’d like, but when I do, I really love to visit gardens and work together with the gardeners there to learn a new skill.
Q. How did you come to work for your organization?
A. When I moved back to the Pittsburgh area from Portland, OR in 2015, I began working as an apprentice at Braddock Farms, one of the farms operated by Grow Pittsburgh. After 3 years farming full time there, I transitioned into the position I’m in now.
Q. What do you wish the public knew about your organization? Grow Pittsburgh has workshops and programs for all skill levels of gardeners. Whether you’re a novice or a more advanced gardener, I would recommend taking a look at our website first to see all that we have to offer. There’s a section on there called the “Infohub” with great information on a variety of gardening topics.
A. Tell us your favorite story about the library!
A. When I was an undergrad at Pitt, I worked at Hillman Library, reshelving books. I would challenge myself to empty my cart as quickly as possible and then take a break in whatever aisle I ended up in to browse the books in that section. I would usually find something of interest even if the subject was totally unfamiliar to me.
Q. What role does CLP have in helping your organization?
A. CLP is hosting gardening workshops at 4 branches in March to help us expand our reach for seed distribution and education.
Q. Who’s your favorite author or artist at the moment?
A. I’m currently reading Impact Networks by David Ehrlichman and Connecting to Change the World by Plastrik, Taylor, and Cleveland. Both are about network building for social impact. Perhaps conceptually connected, I just picked up Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake which is all about fungi.
Q. If you could change one thing about Pittsburgh, what would it be?
A. This is a tough question, but if I have to choose, I wish the airport was more convenient and accessible. If I had a magic wand, I would *poof* make a high speed train line to connect Pittsburgh to the airport.
Q. What was an especially fulfilling moment for you in your work?
A. It’s not one specific moment, but I love anytime I get to share in someone’s excitement about gardening. The energy at seed swaps, workshops, and planting days is so contagious and healing.
Q. What is your favorite local business or organization?
A. Shoutout to our planning partners for this year’s Celebration of Seeds: CLP, Phipps, and Oasis Farm and Fishery!
Gabe Tilove, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Q. How has your work evolved during the pandemic to meet the community’s needs?
A. Phipps has moved many of our programs to virtual to be able to continue offering high quality community education. This has helped existing students continue learning and helped make our programming available to people who might not have otherwise been able to attend programs.
Q. What is your favorite part of what you do?
A. I love helping people grow better at home – whether that’s vegetables, herbs, ornamentals, or houseplants. Gardening is a passion of mine, and I love being able to share it.
Q. How did you come to work for your organization?
A. I was a horticultural intern for Phipps Conservatory the summer after I graduated from college. I fell in love with the organization and the city and found a permanent job here 3 years later.
Q. What do you wish the public knew about your organization?
A. Phipps has a ton of fun adult education programs. We offer classes for adults in botanical art, floral design, sustainable horticulture, vegetable gardening, indoor plants, cooking classes, bonsai, orchids, and a lot more.
Q. Tell us your favorite story about the library!
A. My first job was at my local library helping to reshelve books in the summer.
Q. What role does CLP have in helping your organization?
A. CLP has been an excellent host for previous seed celebrations – we’ve always valued their partnership.
Q. Who’s your favorite author or artist at the moment?
A. I’m currently reading the Lincoln biography, Abe, by David S. Reynolds and enjoy his even-handedness, sense of humor, and how he shows the impact on Lincoln of the relevant authors and poets of that time.
Q. If you could change one thing about Pittsburgh, what would it be?
A. This is a big question! I wish everyone had easy access to clean soil for gardening and fresh, healthy, affordable food.
Q. What was an especially fulfilling moment for you in your work?
A. Phipps’s edible garden outreach program, Homegrown, has been installing raised bed vegetable gardens for families in food insecure neighborhoods since 2013. In 2019, we received a federal USDA grant to support that work. It meant a lot to be getting federal recognition and support for this program.
Q. What is your favorite local business or organization?
A. For favorite local businesses, I’ll highlight my two favorite venues which is a toss up between Mr. Smalls and Club Café. Both are fun and unique spaces that get amazing artists. I’m so glad they are in Pittsburgh.
Upcoming Events
CLP is excited to partner with Grow Pittsburgh and Phipps to host the Tenth Annual Celebration of Seeds! The Celebration kickoff event and seed swap will take place from noon to 4pm on Saturday, March 12th. Tickets are free, but registration is required. You can find registration information here.
CLP branches will also host four seed starting workshops later this month presented by local garden educators. All materials will be provided and participants will receive many starter seeds. Registration for workshops is required.