Lost Sierra Food Project

SUBSIDIZED FARM SHAREIN COLLABORATION WITH PLUMAS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, LOST SIERRA FOOD PROJECT OFFERS A SUBSIDIZED FARM SHARE (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE) PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES WEEKLY PRODUCE BAGS FOR PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE LOW-INCOME (CALFRESH RECIPIENTS), MANY OF WHOM ARE WITHOUT WORK. IN EXCHANGE FOR THEIR SEASONAL FARM SHARE, RECIPIENTS GET TO CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER 9 HOURS ON THE FARM AND PARTICIPATE IN 3 COOKING CLASSES WITH LOCAL CHEFS, OR IN LIEU OF VOLUNTEERING, THEY CAN PAY A SLIGHTLY HIGHER AMOUNT. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMTHE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ON THE FARM IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH PLUMAS COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH (TAY) PROGRAM. TAY PROVIDES SUPPORT TO 16-25 YEAR OLDS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, OR BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE INTERFERING WITH THEIR WELL-BEING. GARDENING AND FARMING CAN BE VERY THERAPEUTIC TO THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SUCH PROBLEMS BY PROVIDING SPACE FOR CONNECTION, MINDFULNESS, AND GREATER SELF-AWARENESS. PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROGRAM ARE PAID MINIMUM WAGE AND RECEIVE JOB TRAINING SUPPORT THROUGH SKILL BUILDING, PRACTICE CREATING RESUMES, HAVING JOB INTERVIEWS, AND RECEIVING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION THROUGH PARTICIPATING PARTNERS. WE ALSO INCLUDE FUN AND EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS WITH TALENTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING FERMENTATION, PICKLING, MINDFULNESS/YOGA, FARM TO TABLE COOKING, AND FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS.REGENERATIVE FARMING EDUCATIONTHE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ON THE FARM ARE WIDESPREAD. WE USE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE VISITORS ON THE FARM, WHETHER IT IS WITH VOLUNTEERS, FIELD TRIPS, FARM TOURS, COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, THE TRANSITIONAL AGE-YOUTH PARTICIPANTS, FARM SHARE RECIPIENTS, STUDENTS OF THE ECOLOGICAL FARMING CERTIFICATE AT FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE, AND PLUMAS CHARTER SCHOOLS CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION AGRICULTURAL PATHWAY. THE PROJECT AIMS AT EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD SUSTAINABLY AND TO EXPERIENCE HOW SIMPLE AND REWARDING IT IS.