Live Healthy Nevada County
It takes building community to feed a community, and thanks to a new partnership between this month’s Local Food Heroes Curt Chittock of Simply Country and Starbright Acres Family Farm, there’s going to be even more local food available to nourish the people of Western Nevada County.
Continue reading “Local Food Heroes: Curt Chittock & Starbright Acres”
The recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have punctuated the centuries of systemic racism in our country with an immediate call to action. Sierra Harvest joins with all individuals and organizations that are committed to challenging ourselves, our communities, and our systems to create an equitable society for everyone, with freedom from violence, and opportunities to thrive. Continue reading “Racial Justice Requires Food Justice”
Sierra Harvest is excited to announce a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program for the 2020 season! Bring the fresh flavors of the Food Love Farm to your home for just $30 each week!
Concerns about our food supply are getting national attention. In some cases, farmers and ranchers are facing pandemic-related staff shortages and abrupt loss of markets, resulting in economic hardships for some growers and fresh food that can’t get out to the people who need it.
Here in Nevada County, the impact of COVID on our local farmers and ranchers has been quite a different story, largely due to the benefits of small scale agriculture in a local economy with strong community ties. Continue reading “Nevada County Farmers and Ranchers Respond to COVID”
Nevada County’s Farmers Markets are considered essential businesses, just like our grocery stores, and several are opening up in May with new social distancing rules in place.
Producers and market managers have taken measures to comply with the California Department of Public Health Guidance, and according to news posted by Nevada County “will allow for a low-risk environment for residents of Nevada County to obtain the necessary and nutrient-rich foods for their family.”
In anticipation of the summer harvest season, we are now recruiting harvest leaders!
Gleaning Harvest Leaders commit to leading a small crew of volunteers to harvest excess fruit or vegetables in farms and gardens, and deliver the delicious bounty to Interfaith Food Ministry (IFM), who then distribute the produce to 8,000 clients in need! Crew leaders typically lead 1-2 gleans a month, July – October. To date the Sierra Harvest gleaning volunteers have harvested and donated more than 36,000 pounds of produce in the past two seasons!
Why should YOU be a volunteer Harvest Leader?
Continue reading “Be the Local Food Movement – Join the Gleaning Volunteer Leadership Team!”
Home gardeners, the Food Love Farm annual plant sale has officially begun! Starting today, we have opened an easy to use on-line store where you can shop at home for the starts you need for your backyard garden.
If your budget is too tight to buy plant starts – we can help! Thanks to the generosity of the Nevada County Department of Social Services and the The Lee & Dunn Group at Baird, Jon Lee & Janice Dunn, we can provide starts regardless of ability to pay, as long as supplies last. Contact Farmer Emily to find out how more.
Continue reading “Food Love Farm Veggie, Herb and Flower Starts Now Available at our On-line Store!”
Has there ever been a better time to take control of your food security then today? One way to ensure a steady supply of fresh produce is to grow your own at home. If you don’t know how, the Sierra Harvest Garden program is here to help.
Sierra Gardens began about 9 years ago, in order to address local food insecurity and expand access to fresh organic food in Nevada County. Last year, Sierra Gardens participants grew over 4,000 pounds of fresh produce at home, with 100% reporting they now eat more fresh vegetables in their regular diet. According to program director Edy Cassel, “We expect to build our 100th garden this year”, including a new project at the Nevada County Youth Center, formerly Juvenile Hall.
We are delighted to share that Miriam Limov, who many of you know as our beloved Engagement Manager, has been hired as our new Farm Institute Associate! She has been playing many roles at Sierra Harvest over the last five years, and in this new capacity, she will be working with Molly Nakahara to help support and expand our Farm Institute Programs, continue the great work Lauren Scott has done to help more restaurants and institutions buy directly from local farmers, take the lead on the Nevada County Food Policy Council, and continue to manage Soup Night and Farm Potlucks.
Continue reading “New Positions for Sierra Harvest Staff Members!”
Parents, have you found yourself in the role of teacher, principal and cafeteria chef at home? Here are some fun and fresh ideas from our staff that you bring into your “school day”, including a chance to win prizes!
It’s easy to grow your own sprouts or microgreens at home – they are tasty and packed with nutrition! Join our Grow Your Own Recipe Challenge and you could win a $25 gift card to the BriarPatch Food Co-op! Here’s how: