Sierra Harvest

06/04/2026

If you've ever wondered if and how an agriculture drone could help you on your farm or ranch, this is your time to find out! Join us for an agricultural drone demo and info session with Ag Drone Concepts in Grass Valley on Thursday, June 18th. Bring your curiosity and questions to connect with a local drone pilot. Visit our website at sierraharvest.org to learn more and RSVP.

06/04/2026

In case you haven't heard - We've moved! You can now find us with our ag partners at 113 Presley Way, Suite 2A, Grass Valley. Thanks to Nevada County Resource Conservation District, Nevada County Farm Bureau and NRCS for making us feel welcome in our new home!

Sierra Harvest is thrilled to announce its next chapter in strengthening the local food system by co-locating with key agricultural partners to establish a new, unified Farm and Agriculture Resource

06/03/2026

Our Ag Skills Class last week, Foundations of Small Ruminant Management, was a huge success. Attendees received a substantial amount of information on owning sheep and goats. Everything from tips on how to select an LGD, to hoof trimming (with some hands-on practice), disease prevention, and checking for worms. This class was taught by Jocelyn Brown of Restoration Land & Livestock, Andrea Warner of UC Cooperative Extension Placer/Nevada, and Carl McCosker of Brust Bust'n Boers.

We'd love to schedule follow-up classes that provide a deeper dive into some of these foundational topics. What specific topic or skill related to small ruminant management would you be interested in learning more about?

Check out our lineup of upcoming Ag Skill Classes at sierraharvest.org!

05/29/2026

Spread the word! Please do not plant grape plants purchased at Costco stores throughout N.California between April 21st and May 21st of this year. Call Nevada County Department of Agriculture with questions 530-470-2690. See below for more details.

URGENT NOTICE: Invasive Pest Detected on Grape Plants Sold at Costco ⚠️

Nevada County agricultural officials are urging residents to take immediate precautions following the detection of the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter on grape plants sold at Costco stores, including locations in Northern California. This insect spreads Pierce’s disease, a fatal bacterial infection that threatens grapevines and many ornamental plants — posing a serious risk to California agriculture and home landscapes.

If you purchased grape plants from Costco between April 21, 2026, and May 21, 2026:
🚫 Do NOT return, transport, or relocate the plant
🚫 Do NOT place the plant in the trash or compost
📞 Contact the Nevada County Department of Agriculture immediately at (530) 470-2690
📧 [email protected]

The glassy-winged sharpshooter feeds on more than 250 plant species and remains one of California’s most significant agricultural pests.

More information: www.cdfa.ca.gov

Thank you for helping protect local agriculture and prevent the spread of invasive pests. 🌱

05/27/2026

Last week, we had a Glean Leader orientation at Food Love Farm. We're so grateful for these wonderful volunteers who organize our glean efforts throughout the year. Rescuing and redistributing food is a rewarding volunteer opportunity. Get out on some farms with us this year and help us harvest and redistribute the bounty and abundance in Nevada County. Learn more at sierraharvest.org or email [email protected] for more information.

05/27/2026

Want some trees 🌲? Our friends at NCRCD are giving away pines, firs, and even Giant Sequoia! Come on down today or tomorrow to get free tree seedlings. They need to be planted ASAP but will give shade to future generations. See details below. 👇🏻

Free Tree Seedlings!!

The Nevada County Resource Conservation District (NCRCD) is giving-away FREE reforestation tree seedlings to our community.

These seedling plugs are being provided by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) in an effort to save them from disposal due to limited storage capacity. These trees need to go in the ground ASAP.

We will have ~1,000 seedling plugs available on a first-come first-serve basis at:

113 Presley Way, Grass Valley

Meet us in the NCRCD parking lot between 10:00am - 2:00pm on Wednesday, May 27th or Thursday, May 28th.

You can take as many seedlings as you can plant. These conifer species are native to the Sierra Nevada bioregion. Planting instructions will be provided with the seedlings.

Types and approximate quantities of tree seedlings available:

Sugar Pine (~200)
Ponderosa Pine (~400)
White Fir (~200)
Douglas Fir (~150)
Giant Sequoia (~75)

05/21/2026

A week from today, we are hosting our first Ag Skills of the season with Jocelyn Brown of Restoration Land & Livestock and Andrea Warner, Livestock and Natural Resource Advisor at UCCE. This class will be a hands-on workshop for sheep and goat owners. Learn about the foundations of small ruminant management from regional professionals. Click the link below to learn more and rsvp!

Date & Time: Thursday, May 28, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location: On a Nevada City Ranch - Location will be provided upon registration

https://sierraharvest.org/farmers/ag-skills/

05/15/2026

Sierra Harvest’s Food Love Farm is now available for event rentals. Our educational farm, filled with vegetables, fruit, flowers, and a resident pig, is a beautiful backdrop for any party, meeting, field trip, cooking class, and the list goes on!

All packages include access to the farm, free parking, use of the outdoor kitchen, and portable restroom accommodations. Visit our website at the link below to learn more!
https://sierraharvest.org/children-connect-to-fresh-food/food-love-farm/

05/12/2026

Our Community is Stepping Up! A new $10,000 Challenge Grant is here. For the month of May, every dollar you donate will be DOUBLED. Every donation made will support our farm-to-school programs and the amazing educators who make these programs a success.

We are incredibly grateful for the donors who have made this match grant possible, and we need your help to ensure that no money is left on the table. Please consider donating this month to double the impact of your generosity! Donate today at sierraharvest.org.

05/07/2026

Yesterday we attended the Nevada County Farm Tour, an event organized by Nevada County Farm Bureau that we look forward to all year long. This year did not disappoint! The day-long expedition began at Bluebird Farm, and continued to Reader Ranch, Browning Ranch, a lunch tour Mountain Bounty Farm with lunch provided by Comedor, and ended (last but not least) at the Felix Gillet Institute.

Nevada County Resource Conservation District