Sierra Harvest

The farm institute supports and works alongside farmers and ranchers to increase sustainable food production, working with both the supply side and the demand side.on the supply side, farm institute has a series of programs to build the prosperity of ecologically sustainable producers, increase the land in organic production, and train and mentor beginning farmers as the older generation retires. Agricultural skills classes train beginning farmers in regenerative agriculture production. Farm biz, the six-week ag business course, leaves participants with a concrete business plan and financial knowledge that is critical to running a viable farm business. Land match matches sustainable farmers and ranchers with local agricultural land, and the mentorship program pairs seasoned farmers with new farmers in a mentor/mentee association to provide on-going support.to date, sierra harvest has trained 157 farmers, helped 9 farms certify organic, matched 29 farmers to 102 acres of low cost farm land, paired 21 mentor/mentee farmers, and provided over 5,000 hours of education.on the demand side, the farm institute's procurement program, known as putting local on the menu, helps farmers and food buyers connect to incorporate locally and regionally grown fresh foods into meal programs. Institutional facilities such as our local correctional facility, senior homes, homeless shelters and schools are provided help to contract with local farmers, as are smaller food businesses such as restaurants.sierra harvest engages in local, regional, and national policies that support just, sustainable food systems. The nevada county food policy council (ncfpc) was formed in march 2015 to foster collaboration among local food and farming individuals, businesses and organizations, set common goals and work together to maximize positive impacts on the food environment, human health, and livelihoods in the community. The ncfpc is a member of the california food and farming network which allows them to weigh in on statewide food and farming policies that impact nevada county. The ncfpc, which has had over 80 local food and farming organizations attend, completed a food system assessment in 2021 to study the impacts of the current industrialized food system present in the county and to invest in a more vibrant local food system built on a strong sense of community.

Sierra harvest's food love farm is devoted to promoting nutrition education, food security, and community involvement in growing, harvesting, eating, and celebrating fresh food. The farm hosts experiential field trips, a summer camp, service projects, u-pick/farm stand, and community volunteer days. This year the food love farm provided 3,780 hours of hands-on farm education, through summer camp and field trips, to hundreds of children, with 23.5% of campers receiving scholarships to attend camp.

The sierra harvest gold country gleaning program harvests local organic produce that would otherwise be unharvested, thrown out or composted. This produce is donated to interfaith food ministry who distributes it to 11,000 individuals with minimal access to fresh, organic food. This year, our gleaners hit a record of 35,445 pounds of produce gleaned and delivered to interfaith food ministry. Over 145,850 pounds of local food has been rescued and given to those in need since august 2018.