By Arielle Hard
Lost Sierra Food Project hosted its annual pumpkin patch fundraiser on October 6, 2023, at Rugged Roots Farm, located across from Gansner Airfield in Quincy. Along with selling a variety of pumpkins and produce, Quintopia Brewing Company sold drinks, and live music was provided by “Fish Tacos.” The Kid’s Corner included fun activities and demonstrations like apple pressing.
Farmer Abby Cohen, Programs Corrdinator, attended UC Davis where she received a B.S. in Sustainable Environmental Design. During her time at Davis she worked on two urban farms in Sacramento, the UC Davis Student Farm, and ran the pantry system for the schools basic needs center.
Farmer Kari O’Reilly, Farm Educator, has been working in farm/garden education for 20 years and was showing kids how to press apples.
Lost Sierra Food Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that began in 2019 with a mission to “increase access to local foods for Plumas County residents, prioritizing underserved populations, provide workforce development programs, and create educational food and farming opportunities.”
Their Objectives are to “increase local food production to ensure food access and food security for our region, enhance education in ecological farming and wellness through community workshops, trainings, and school programs, and empower people through experiential and skill-based workforce development on the farm.”
According to their website, “The workforce development program started on our farm in 2019 through our partnership with Plumas County Behavioral Health and the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program. TAY provides support to 16-25 year old individuals who are experiencing significant emotional, psychological, and/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.”
Programs also include the Food Smart Program in partnership with Alternative Sentencing and the Summer Search Program with Sierra Nevada Journeys. Workshops that were open to the public included cooking classes, yoga, a garden spa day, a farm bird walk, and flower bouquet arrangements.
They also hosted a summer farm camp for kids with scholarships available which included a “Farm and Forage” and “Around the World Farm” Camp. They also host a farm stand where they accept EBT/CalFresh, an honor system farm fridge, and a “farm bucks” program.
They donate produce to local food banks and crisis centers throughout the county and during the 2021 Dixie Fire the farm was used as an emergency relief distribution center. “We were able to donate more than 5,000lbs of produce to local food banks, shelters, meal preparation centers, and individuals/families directly impacted by the fire. We collaborated with those on the front lines to provide immediate food relief.”
We are grateful for the involvement of the Lost Sierra food project throughout our communities and are looking forward to seeing their expansion. To contact for more information email info@lostsierrafoodproject.org or visit the website www.lostsierrafoodproject.org where you can sign up for updates for next year and find ways to become involved.
Lost Sierra Food Project hosted its annual pumpkin patch fundraiser on October 6, 2023, at Rugged Roots Farm, located across from Gansner Airfield in Quincy. Along with selling a variety of pumpkins and produce, Quintopia Brewing Company sold drinks, and live music was provided by “Fish Tacos.” The Kid’s Corner included fun activities and demonstrations like apple pressing.
Farmer Abby Cohen, Programs Corrdinator, attended UC Davis where she received a B.S. in Sustainable Environmental Design. During her time at Davis she worked on two urban farms in Sacramento, the UC Davis Student Farm, and ran the pantry system for the schools basic needs center.
Farmer Kari O’Reilly, Farm Educator, has been working in farm/garden education for 20 years and was showing kids how to press apples.
Lost Sierra Food Project is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that began in 2019 with a mission to “increase access to local foods for Plumas County residents, prioritizing underserved populations, provide workforce development programs, and create educational food and farming opportunities.”
Their Objectives are to “increase local food production to ensure food access and food security for our region, enhance education in ecological farming and wellness through community workshops, trainings, and school programs, and empower people through experiential and skill-based workforce development on the farm.”
According to their website, “The workforce development program started on our farm in 2019 through our partnership with Plumas County Behavioral Health and the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) program. TAY provides support to 16-25 year old individuals who are experiencing significant emotional, psychological, and/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.”
Programs also include the Food Smart Program in partnership with Alternative Sentencing and the Summer Search Program with Sierra Nevada Journeys. Workshops that were open to the public included cooking classes, yoga, a garden spa day, a farm bird walk, and flower bouquet arrangements.
They also hosted a summer farm camp for kids with scholarships available which included a “Farm and Forage” and “Around the World Farm” Camp. They also host a farm stand where they accept EBT/CalFresh, an honor system farm fridge, and a “farm bucks” program.
They donate produce to local food banks and crisis centers throughout the county and during the 2021 Dixie Fire the farm was used as an emergency relief distribution center. “We were able to donate more than 5,000lbs of produce to local food banks, shelters, meal preparation centers, and individuals/families directly impacted by the fire. We collaborated with those on the front lines to provide immediate food relief.”
We are grateful for the involvement of the Lost Sierra food project throughout our communities and are looking forward to seeing their expansion. To contact for more information email info@lostsierrafoodproject.org or visit the website www.lostsierrafoodproject.org where you can sign up for updates for next year and find ways to become involved.
