Lost Sierra Food Project

05/08/2026

May is HERE! It’s warming up and we are back on the farm getting our seedlings into the ground. This week we transplanted napa cabbage, bok choy, and bunching onions at Rugged Roots- next week we will be planting more cabbage, lettuce, herbs, and direct seeding.

We will be transplanting starts at our next few farm volunteer mornings if you are interested in lending a hand and getting some 1:1 time with the soil. Volunteer mornings take place every Wednesday from 8-10am until the end of the season in October.

We're so excited to be starting up the 2026 season. Look out for fresh veggies starting in June!! 🥬🦋

05/06/2026

Spend your summer on Rugged Roots Farm! High school students are invited to apply for a paid internship through Lost Sierra Food Project.

High School interns gain hands-on experience working on a small scale, diversified vegetable farm in Quincy. Daily tasks include harvesting produce, processing fruit and vegetables, weeding crops, and selling produce to our local community. Interns work directly with Rugged Roots staff to help manage the landscape and take part in growing healthy, nutrient dense crops. Rugged Roots Farm has an accepting atmosphere and encourages all students with any interest or curiosity in agriculture and community service to apply.

Working on Rugged Roots Farm is an outdoor learning experience! Interns will learn how to:
- Brew compost tea for soil health
- Cook with on-farm produce
- Create flower bouquets
- Use farm tools and equipment
- Make local food donations

Time commitment (some changes may occur):
- 6 weeks total, June-August: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 8am – 12pm, 12-16 hours per week
- June 22nd - June 26th
- June 29th - July 2nd
- July 6th - July 9th
- July 20th - July 24th
- July 27th - July 31st
- August 3rd - August 7th

Internship details:
- $16.90/hr
- Requires hard work in outdoor conditions
- Access to farm vegetables, fruit, herbs, and flowers

Internship requirements:
- Must be 15-18 years of age
- Must obtain a valid work permit prior to beginning work
- Must obtain signed permission from a parent or guardian to participate

Please reach out to Bethany Rouse at [email protected] for questions. Students can apply using the following link: https://www.lostsierrafoodproject.org/job-opportunities

05/04/2026

Calling all farm volunteers!

The following early season volunteer mornings include a farm tour and orientation:

May 6th @ 8 - 9am
May 13th @ 8 - 10am
May 20th @ 8 - 10am

We encourage both new and returning volunteers to attend at least one of the listed volunteer mornings so that we can catch you up on food safety protocol.

Note: this Wednesday's event will end at 9 am and will only include the tour and onboarding. Volunteers will get a more in depth tour of the farm, receive food safety training, and sign liability waivers but will not be doing a volunteer project.

The following mornings are all regularly scheduled from 8 to 10 am, with farm tours/onboarding available at 8 am for those who do not attend this Wednesday.

This month's activities include 1) PLANTING (yay!) and 2) WEEDING. Please wear close toed shoes, long sleeves, SPF, and bring a hat, sunglasses, snack, and a water bottle.

Thank you so, so much to all of our farm volunteers! You help us so much and we are so grateful for your time and effort. We're excited to get the 2026 season rolling with your help.

04/28/2026

Only a few days remain to get a 5% bonus when you purchase Farm Bucks for Rugged Roots Farm! Turn your $100 into $105 worth of nutritious local produce by purchasing Farm Bucks before May 1st.

Farm Bucks act as 1:1 credit for vegetables, herbs, berries, garlic, and flowers at our farm stand, honor system fridge and Quincy Farmers Market booth. They are available in amounts from $100-$500. These early season payments help us cover costs we incur as we start the growing season. Thank you so much to all of you who have already purchased your Farm Bucks for the 2026 season.

Purchase Farm Bucks today: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/g80Hbwza2hWhA1oZ3OF2M

04/21/2026

The green house is getting full and we up-potted tomatoes 🌱🍅 and peppers 🌶️ 🫑 this last week! We grow over 100 cultivars from seed each spring and lovingly care for them before they go to the farm and in the ground 🪱💦🐞
Pic 1: airflow is crucial in a heated greenhouse
Pic 2: potting up everyone’s favorite shish*tos
Pic 3: intern Sarah thinning cilantro plants
Pic 4: greenhouse guardian on teeny tiny cabbages

04/15/2026

Rugged Roots Farm is waking up for the season 🐞🌱🌼 Today staff prepped and planted strawberries, weeded, and did repairs. What a beautiful spring day! Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter for upcoming workshops and farm events (link in bio). Things are happenin!

04/14/2026

Upcoming free seminar for egg producers and home bakers interested in learning best practices and processes for getting market ready!

Small Farms Seminar Set for April 28 in Quincy
This session is for backyard producers and small-scale farmers

The free event begins with dinner at 5 p.m., followed by presentations at 5:30 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for dinner and participation in a door prize raffle.

The seminar will feature practical information on raising and marketing farm products. Topics include chicken health, egg sales certification requirements, and cottage foods licensing for baked goods.

The event is open to the public. To register, visit https://link.ucanr.edu/ucsmallfarms
For more information, contact Tracy Schohr at [email protected]

03/25/2026

At the end of February, the LSFP farmers took a trip to Chico for a North Valley Regional Farmers gathering that is part of small farms conference. We toured two farms, ate locally grown food, visited the Chico farmers market and networked with other growers. It was a great staff development opportunity.

03/18/2026

Friendly reminder! Rugged Roots Farm Summer Camp applications will open Friday, March 20 at 4pm. Registration will be both first come-first serve AND we will also hold spots for a randomized raffle. We offer a sliding-scale payment option with full scholarships available. Learn more about 2026 camp sessions, dates, and themes on our website at www.lostsierrafoodproject.org/sun-fun-summer-farm-camp

03/16/2026

Did you know that we start over 100 veggie, flower, herb, and fruit cultivars from seeds each spring? We’ve been busy the last two weeks filling the up the green house. Let’s hope for some more weather but who else is excited for farm season???
🌱💦 ☀️

03/09/2026

Are you a college student seeking a job outdoors this summer? Our paid college internship gets you outside, gives you valuable life experience growing food, and connects you to professionals happy to offer mentorship and act as references in the future. Plus, all staff get to take home their share of fresh farm produce. Learn how to apply today here: https://www.lostsierrafoodproject.org/job-opportunities

"Working with the farm crew was the best part of working at LSFP. The people were wonderful to be around and were very helpful." - 2026 College Farm Intern