A G R I C U L T U R E
N E V A D A C O U N T Y
L I V I N G
VICES AND RELOCATION
SIERRA HARVEST
( 530) 265-2343 sierraharvest. org
Eat Your Vegetables!
By Paula C. Collins
There once was a young boy who would only eat a very few foods. Then he discovered vegetables at school and now tells his mother about all the things from the school’ s garden he is trying.
With income cuts, a local mother was limited to the number of fresh vegetables she could afford. Now her garden provides her family with fresh vegetables daily and she preserves some to use through the winter.
These success stories were made possible by Sierra Harvest whose programs are impacting thousands of western Nevada County residents.
Their Farm-to-School Program reaches 96 % of all K-8 students in the area – 6,500 students in 22 schools. The kids visit local farmers, farmers visit the classrooms. There are cooking sessions with local food and guest chefs, and produce carts for the kids.
Want to plant a garden, but have no clue how to start? Or you planted one and nothing came up. Well, Sierra Harvest can help.
To date, they have built or revamped 40 gardens in backyards or on acreage. Seeds and starter plants are provided, as well as two years of additional assistance. The organization wants to see hundreds more of these gardens.
Taking it a step further, the Sierra Harvest Farm Institute was founded, and to date has trained over 30 farmers. The program attracts all ages including retires who want a second career.“ Students” work alongside mentors, take a business planning course and learn about land opportunities in Nevada County. The aim is to help grow successful farms and ranches.
Sierra Harvest was formed in 2013 as the result of a merger between two organizations. One focused on young farmers, the other on reducing childhood obesity through healthy meals.
Today the organization’ s goal is for 25 % of the food eaten locally, be grown locally. They point out that if this could be realized $ 67 million would recirculate in the community. One positive sign is that after years of decline, they are now seeing more farms each year rather than fewer.
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