Sierra Harvest

Programs: The farm to school program is currently in sixteen nevada county schools and reaches over 6000 students; 83% of the k-12 students in western nevada county. Sierra harvest connects each school with a local farm partner. This farmer hosts farm field trips at their farms, provides produce for a weekly produce stand at the school, and comes into the classroom to share with the kids. We also do monthly harvest of the month tastings of local, seasonal fruits and vegetables delivered to classrooms along with educator curriculum and a family newsletters. Our tasting week brings guest chefs from around the county into the classrooms to cook simple, seasonal meals with 2,500 students. Our pre-post test survey data indicate that students participate in our farm to school programming are 14% more likely to enjoy the taste of fruits and vegetables, and their families are 21% more likely to buy fresh, local produce from local farmers.

school food: sierra harvest, in collaboration with the current school meal provider, is working to incorporate more locally and regionally grown fresh foods into the school meal program. We do this through community engagement events, educational programs and connecting local farms to school meal providers. Farmer training: sierra harvest offers mentorship, education, and practical experience for interns and journeyman farmers. Aspiring farmers leave equipped to lead the next generation of growers. Community food: sierra harvest celebrates and connects our local community through potlucks, soup nights, an events calendar, a land bank, and through nevada countys sustainable food and farm conference. Food advocacy: we engage in local, regional, and national policies that support just, sustainable food systems. We are members of the california food policy council and the california farm to school network. The sierra gardens program enhances health and food access by supporting families in growing fruits and vegetables at home; providing garden beds plus two years of classes, mentorship and starts.

nevada countys sustainable food & farm conference is an annual regional conference designed to serve the educational needs of the local and regional sustainably farming community. The conference includes two days of presentations from nationally recognized speakers, as well as local and regional experts in the field. The conference includes 20 workshop sessions on food and farming topics and serves 400 people, including 35 farmers who received scholarships to attend.