At the Farm Institute, we are working alongside farmers and ranchers to strengthen our local food system. To us, this means more prosperity and resilience for existing producers, more land in agricultural production, more beginning farmers as our older generation of farmers retires, and more opportunities for our community to buy locally grown food. More information about the program can be found here.
Are you interested in a career in agriculture? Looking for land and know-how to get your farm or ranch business up and running? Do you own a piece of land suitable for agriculture? Maybe you can help to house a local farmer? Join with the Sierra Harvest Farm Institute and help us grow more fresh food in Nevada County. Complete your application online TODAY!
We’re excited to be launching three programs for farmers, ranchers and our community to participate in: Farm Crew, Farm Biz and Land Match!
Farm Crew is a training program for early-career farmers and ranchers. If you’re ready to dive into a career in agriculture, apply now to become a 2017 Farm Crew member! From April to November, you’ll spend at least 20 hours per week working for a local farm or ranch. Our local growers are experts in producing food and by working alongside these seasoned pros, you’ll gain skills and a real-world understanding farming. Once a week you’ll join together with other Farm Crew members in the area for advanced production skills courses 
like plant propagation, tractor skills, and soil fertility management. A really exciting component of Farm Crew is personalized education – we’ll work with you to set and meet learning objectives over the course of the season. Whether it’s learning to manage your own bee hive, learning how to repair a small engine, or feeling comfortable with managing a farmers’ market stall, we will work to help you gain the skills you are interested in. Apply now for the 2017 program!
Farm Biz is a business skills course designed specifically for farmers and ranchers. If you’re ready to dig in and launch an agricultural business, this course is for you! Taught by local business professionals, farmers and ranchers, you’ll not only gain the skills necessary to manage a business, you’ll get the know-how to design prosperity into your business from the start. Our course will launch at the 2017 Food and Farming Conference (January, 2017) with classes meeting weekly until April.
Looking for farmland to start or expand your business? Check out Land Match, a listing of available agricultural land in Nevada County. If you have a piece of land that may be suitable for agriculture, get in touch with us and we’ll have someone come out for a site visit. All viable properties will be added to our online, searchable database. If you’re a farmer or rancher looking for land to start or expand your operations, check out the properties that have been offered by community members. You’ll be surprised how much ag land is open in our county!
Whether you’re a producer, an eater, a lover or things local or an open space enthusiast, we would love to have your help in creating a robust local food system with prosperous farmers and ranchers at its core.
Farm Institute wish list-
- Scholarships for emerging farmers to attend courses at lower cost
- Rustic housing for Farm Crew members for the 2017 season (April through November)
- Land suitable for farming – at least ½ an acre with water
- Help spreading the word about our great training programs for farmers and ranchers
- A large piece of land with some infrastructure for a possible future home for the Farm Institute farm incubator site
For more information and questions about the program, contact Molly Nakahara, Farm Institute Director at molly@sierraharvest.org.