A farm in nearly every Pittsburgh neighborhood would be one of the goals of a Franco Dok Harris administration, the independent mayoral candidate said yesterday, as his campaign sounded its final notes before Tuesday's election.

The novel proposal -- which would have the city assemble vacant lots and help marshal the expertise needed to transform them into farms -- captures several of the themes of Mr. Harris' bid to unseat Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. The challenger has portrayed himself as the candidate of small business and neighborhoods and argued that few things bring a neighborhood together like a small farm.

"It really is a way of building a community, and ensuring that people interact," he said at Mildred's Daughters, a privately owned five-acre farm on which Stanton Heights neighbors labor for shares of the produce.

"The effects of growing something, and picking it with your own hands, and saying, I started this from a seed, and all the way to a fruit, is a very profound message, and one that resonates with all ages."

Also running is Independent Kevin Acklin, who was touring senior centers yesterday. He summarized his message on Wednesday when he portrayed Mr. Ravenstahl as out of touch for downplaying unemployment in the city.

Mr. Ravenstahl plans to break ground on Strip District condominiums Monday, in tune with his message that the city is growing.

Mr. Harris wants another kind of growth.

"We had some [city-grown] purple carrots the other day. They were delicious," he said. Farming is "about clean water, clean air, and healthy, locally grown food to sustain our bodies."

Mr. Harris has worked for Super Bakery Inc., a maker of enriched baked goods owned by his father, former Steelers running back Franco Harris.

Franco Dok Harris said that some of the city's poorest neighborhoods have little access to fresh food. He introduced Justin Strong, of the newly created Urban Solutions for Ecological Development, which is planning to assemble land in Larimer for local enterprises that may include agriculture.

Mr. Strong is co-owner of the Shadow Lounge in East Liberty. "We go through a lot of mint leaves, so let's grow mint," he said, adding that his group will first study the feasibility of local mint farming.

Barb Kline, co-owner of Mildred's Daughters, said her land has been farmed since the 1800s, but even contaminated soils on vacant lots can be rehabilitated, she said.

The Ravenstahl administration's efforts to free up vacant properties for sale helped enable the creation of the Landslide Community Farm in the Hill District.

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