Elizabeth Brandley
Sierra Harvest
Annual Report 2014-15
Message from Co-Directors & Board President
Dear Supporters and Friends,
We made great progress last year, touching the lives of thousands of school children with the fresh
flavors of local food, helping families grow their own food, connecting with hundreds of people at potlucks, soup nights and fundraising events, and introducing Nevada County residents to local farmers
and ranchers. We look back at the year and remember small vignettes that add up to visible progress.
One small brown-haired child takes a tentative bite of cabbage, sitting in a circle with twenty-six
other third-graders last Spring. She smiles at the taste and raises her hand to say that she likes it.
The Sierra Harvest Farm to School Liaison explains what cabbage is, what local farm it comes from,
and why it is good for her. The small piece of cabbage she nibbles is one of thousands that have been
provided to 6,000 children in school classrooms throughout Western Nevada County. Along with
many other fruits and vegetables, these little bites added up to 28,000 pounds of locally harvested
food. The small child remembers enjoying the taste of cabbage and tells her mom when she gets home.
Her mom is surprised but pleased and adds local cabbage to her shopping list.
A family is in a new garden behind their house. A father, a mother, and two young children wear broad-brimmed hats in the sun. They weed the garden they planted in late
May. They have already harvested many salads, many side dishes, and the fresh tomatoes they love to eat with a little salt. Before getting a Sierra Garden, they struggled
to put food on the table, but now they eat fresh food every day during the growing season. Thirty five such “Sierra Gardens” scattered throughout the County supplied over
2 tons of fresh food to families this year.
Seventy-five people or more gather every other Thursday evening at a Sierra Harvest potluck at a local partner farm. They celebrate local food, ranchers and farmers. They
get to know the farms and ranches where their food is grown and the people who steward the land. The growers are gratified to see the pleasure they bring to so many
people and they increase their relationships and sales in the process.
These small vignettes add up, in larger and larger numbers each year, to a growing local food movement. More people are rethinking what they eat and discovering really good
local produce and meats. This change supports better health, reduced obesity, more prosperous farmers, a healthier environment, and a more beautiful rural landscape.
Significant change in how our community supports our food culture is underway, and Sierra Harvest dreams of the day when 25% or more of the food our community
consumes is grown locally. We are grateful for everyone whose passion has ignited the local food movement and we hope you will join us on the journey as we create
a bright and sustainable food future for Nevada County.
Aimee Retzler and Malaika Bishop
Co-Directors Phil Turner
Board President
Debora Chapman
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3
Children
Sierra Harvest inspires children to love local food and farming.
Our programs reach over 9,000 students on 22 school campuses.
This is 70% of all K-12 students in Western Nevada County!
What has changed since 2012?
80% more students can name a farmer.
66% more students report that their
families shop directly from farmers (at
CSAs, farmers markets, etc).
55% more students know what “local
produce” is.
43% more students like the fruits and
veggies they try during Harvest of the
Month tastings.
Through our Farm to School programming, Food Love Project educational farm, Food
Corps service member projects, and partnership with food service directors, our
students enjoy:
❀❀ Monthly Harvest of the Month tastings
in 240 classrooms
❀❀ Summer camp, community service
days, and U-pick vegetables at the
Food Love Project
❀❀ Weekly produce stands featuring local
farm-fresh produce
❀❀ Local food purchasing and promotion
along with salad bars at schools
❀❀ Classroom visits by farmers and chefs
❀❀ Garden-nutrition curriculum
❀❀ Field trips to partner farms
28,000 lbs of local produce has been
distributed in schools.
50 chefs and farmers visit school
classrooms each year.
5 school campuses now offer salad bars.
Elizabeth Brandley
1 school is serving local grass-fed beef
from a steer that was raised just for them.
Miriam Limov
1 high school district is purchasing fresh
seasonal produce for school meals.
4
Children
“At first I was a little skeptical about Kindergarteners tasting foods they
haven’t tasted before, but this has been an amazing experience for all of us!
Recently, we had our farm partner come in and talk about sheep and miner’s
lettuce. Every child in my class tried the lettuce! I think this experience has
opened their little minds about trying new and healthy foods. Thank you Sierra
Harvest. We really look forward to the tastings each month!”
Lori Long
“I could never in a million years have
predicted the effect that the Farm
to School program would have on
our campus. Students are excited
about eating vegetables! During the
Fall, Thursdays became a holiday
as students knew THE CART was
coming with vegetables to sample.
The monthly classroom tastings
had kids excited about cabbage and
kale! The fact that students are both
learning healthy life habits while
having fun eating their vegetables is
almost beyond belief.”
Gregg Motarjeme,
Principal, Alta Sierra school
Elizabeth Brandley
Tracie Nickle
Kathy Federmeyer, Kindergarten Teacher, Scotten School
“I really love the farm and how we get to learn how to grow food, and then eat
it, and seeing chickens too. The farm is awesome!”
Riley, 3rd grade, Deer Creek School
“I never tried kale before. Now I want my mom to make it all the time. I love it!”
Ryley Behr, 6th grade, Chicago Park School
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Farmers
Elizabeth Brandley
Sierra Harvest supports sustainable farming in
Nevada County by training the next generation
of farmers and inspiring the next generation of
local food consumers.
Jessica Gimpel (Farm Educator Intern)
A One-Year Snapshot
400
Tracie Nickle
attendees at our
Sustainable Food
& Farm conference
hours of
farmer training
10
FARM POTLUCKS
623
Food & Farming
events posted
to our calendar
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Soup nights with
farm-fresh soup &
live local music
or two interactions with a child on a farm
can have such a lasting impact on instilling
healthy habits for a lifetime. In my time at
Sierra Harvest I’ve gained confidence, skills
and fostered positive relationships with
real food and real farmers for thousands of
students.”
Rachel Berry
families at our
farm events
950
Val Camp
1,500
“The internship opened my eyes to how one
Community
Sierra Gardens
The Sierra Gardens program supports families in building or improving their gardens by
providing starts, seeds, mentorship, and cooking and gardening classes for two years.
These families are now less reliant on food pantries, worry less about having enough
food, spend more time outside with their kids, and eat more fruits and vegetables.
Elizabeth Brandley
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Sierra Gardens by the Numbers
❀❀
35 gardens supported
❀❀
4,140 lbs of produce grown and eaten by participants
❀❀
5,384 vegetable seedlings grown and distributed
❀❀
70% increase in gardeners who feel confident about growing
“Prior to the Sierra Gardens program
we had to rely solely on going to
the store for our fresh produce,
and buying organic is expensive.
their own food
❀❀
❀❀
Now that we have the space
71% increase in gardeners who strongly agree that they feel
and knowledge, we are capable
happy and satisfied with life
of growing it ourselves, which
75% of the program participants grew NONE of the produce
their family ate BEFORE the program. 100% of gardeners NOW
in itself is incredibly rewarding. I
have been able to share my garden
and my produce with family, friends
grow 25%-100% of the produce their families eat
Elizabeth Brandley
❀❀
83% of participants now share their garden produce with friends
and even strangers. We are blessed.”
Misty Clark, Sierra Gardens participant
and neighbors
❀❀
90% of recipients received scholarships
❀❀
250% increase in participants who rate diets as “very healthy”
Nevada County Food Policy Council
Sierra Harvest spearheaded the formation of the Nevada County Food Policy
Council to foster collaboration towards a common vision for a healthy and
sustainable food economy in Nevada County, and to weigh in on statewide
policy decisions as a member of the California Food Policy Council.
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Staff, Board and Contributors
Expenses, July 2014–June 2015
$446,210
Earned Income
Fundraising
9%
12%
Administration
Individual &
Business
Donations 48%
Amanda Thibodeau
Farm to School Liaisons
Michelle Bacon, Michelle Baker, Aleta Barrett, Kimberly Bell,
Jaimi Giguere, Sarah Griffin-Boubacar, Theresia Heinzle Evans,
Pam Hughes, Erika Kosina, Poppi Lebarron-West, Lori Long,
Andrea Maher, Rosie Mariani, Michele McDaniel, Raelynn
Noel, Erika Triglia, Rachel Wegman, and Heidi Zimmerman
Board of Directors
Sandra Barrington, Rachel Berry, Amigo Cantisano, Joy CastroWehr, Rita de Quercus, Liz Matson, Tiana Rockwell, Jennifer
Singer, Carlos Trujillo, and Phil Turner
75%
40%
Sierra Harvest Team
Co-directors: Aimee Retzler and Malaika Bishop
Engagement Managers: Miriam Limov and Rachel Berry
Farm to School Program Coordinator: Amanda Thibodeau
Food Love Farmer & Educator: Katie Turner
Food Corps Service Members: Elizabeth Brandley & Lauren
Valentino
Operations Manager: Carlyle Miller
Sierra Gardens Coordinator: Leo Chapman
Farm Educator Interns: Brianna Abundiz, Jessica Gimpel
Operations Assistant: Melynda Rainsbarger
13%
Grants
Programs
Special thanks…
to these donors who have joined the Sierra Harvest team:
Terri Anderson, Greg Archbald, Karla Arens, Georgette and Gabe Aronow, B&C True Value, Ian Bailey, Andrea and Rick Baron, Sandra Barrington, Susie and David
Bavo, Laura Beavers, Charlotte and Gerald Belisle, Geri Bergen, Michael Berlinghieri, Rachel, Matt and Amara Berry, Jane Berthet, Michael and Micki Besancon,
Malaika and Gordon Bishop, Robert Blackburn, Mike Blagg, Nancy Bleile, Pavana and David Bohegian, Lucy and Bruce Bottrell, Patti and Eric Boudier, Becky Bow,
Elaina Breen, BriarPatch Coop, Charlie Brock, Mary B Brock, Terry and Karen Brown, Sara and Jeffrey Brownwood, Ray Bryars, Tim Butler, Val Camp, Caroline’s Coffee
Roaster, Liz Carlton, Steve Carlton, Carole Carson, Katie and William Carter, Valerie Cassity, Dan and Joanne Castles, Deb and Leo Chapman, Kwong Chew, Rebecca
Coffman, Janet Cohen, Fran Cole, Marty and Jeff Coleman-Hunt, Scott Costa, Regina and Dave Curry, Caleb Dardick, Decus Biomedical, LLC, Jill Denney, Julie Dennis,
Rita DeQuercus, Eric Dickerson, Elizabeth Dieter, Ray and Cheri Diggins, Dinner Bell Farm, Lin Donald, Jim and Katherine Doolittle, Kathy and Brett Dotson, Lynne
and Al Dover, Richard Drace, Jeanne Duerst, Cathy Edwards, The Edwin Perkins Foundation, Galen Ellis, Hilary Emberton, Stephanie Facchini, Donald Feil, Marisha
and Tad Finkler, Cory Fisher, Flour Garden Bakery and Café, Food Corps, Foothill Roots Farm, Forever Flowering LLC, Pat Forman, Dennis Fournier, Brad and Alana
Fowler, Brent Fraser, Fresh Starts Organic Farm, Jan Friend, Randall Frizzell, Fulcrum Farm, Michael and Alicia Funk, Kent and Mollie Gallagher, Tony Giacalone, Brenda
Gilbert, Catriona Glazebrook, Jeannine Glista, Gold Trail School District Healthy Habits Committee, Charlie Grande, Grizzly Hill Organic Farm & Nursery, HAALo
Herb Shoppe, Holger and Tacy Hahn, Rebecca Hahn, Bill and Joyce Haire, Eben and Elizabeth Haskell, Shaun and Pat Havard, Suzanne Hawkins, Karel Hendee, Justine
Herbert, Holly Hermansen, Larry and Elise Hierman, Kindra Hillman, Hills Flat Lumber Company, Susan and Robert Hoek, Brian Hollister, Susan and Tom Hopkins,
House of Print and Copy, MaryJane and Charlie Huenergardt, Heather, Luke, Jake and Giles Hunt, Jim Hurley, Chuck Jaffee, Linda Jane, Rodger and Nancy Jensen,
Bruce Johnson, Kim and Russ Jones, Alison Jones-Pomatto, Paul and Eileen Jorgensen, Patricia Kaminski and Richard Katz, Donna Keeler, Sara Keene, Julia Kelliher,
Kathi Keville, Sandy and Don Kewman, Shirley Kinghorn, Brandy Kolmer, John Kuehn & Cristine Mulvey, Lynne Lacroix, Marvina Lapianka, Sarah Lazard, Karen Leigh
Sharp, Howard Levine, Greg and Sherry Lewis, Miriam and Joe Limov, Lynn Lind, Kathleen Little, Little Boy Flowers, Marty and Kathleen Lombardi, Ariel Lovett-King,
Arnie and Maud Lund, Lundberg Family Farms, Jonathan Lyerly, The Magic Carpet, Brian Malin, Shanan Manuel, Richie and Annie Marks, Susan Martin, Paul Matson,
Shana Maziarz, Mary Ann McDonnell, Anni McCann, Pamela Meek, Martha Meredith, Jill Messier, Linda Meyers, Jenny Michael, Carlyle and Chris Miller, Linda and
Jim Miller, Stan Miller, Glen Miller, Kimberley Milligan, Valerie Moberg, Charlotte Montgomery, Stephanie Mooers, Michael Mooers, Mountain Bounty Farm, Carolyn
Murphy, Helen and Bill Neff, Brandy Neuharth, Nevada County Resource Conservation District (RCD), Mike and Kathy Noland, Laurie Oberholtzer, Bob O’Brien,
Tim Ogburn, Organic Valley, Elisa Parker, Suzanne and Perry Parkhurst, Judy Parks, Connie Parsons, Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, Allen Poirson, Alan Pomatto, Rare
Earth, Jennifer Ray, Aimee and David Retzler, Barbara Rivenes, Diane and Lowell Robertson, Sandra Rockman, Barbara Roemer, Rachel and Stephen Roos, Kim and
Raymond Sayre, Chris Scammon, Amy and Michael Schneider, John Schugren, Ed and Carol Scofield, Gretchen Serrata, Sharon Shafran, Shared Abundance Farm,
Greg Sharp, Sierra Seed Cooperative, Bill and Pam Sikes, Melissa Silva, Jennifer Singer, Kriseda and Stephen Smith, Ted Smith, Soil Sisters Farm, Susan and Steve
Solinsky, Soroptomist International of Grass Valley, Justin Sternberg, Jack and Marie Stillens, Sunrock Farm, Sunset Ridge, Super Tuber Farm, Linda Sutter, Sweetland
Garden Supply, Lucetta Swift, Cynthia Tai, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing, Gary Tintle, Debora and Peter Totoonchie, Anna Trabucco, Treats, Carlos and Jennifer
Trujillo, Phil and Carol Turner, Sharyn and Barry Turner, Ginger Van Wagner, Tom Van Wagner, Melony Vance, Amber and Matthew Vanderpol, Mark Varljen, Vital
Landscaping, Volz Brothers, Loraine Webb, Jeff Wells, Rob and Jan Wenzel, Whole Kids Foundation, Susan Wiesner, Wild River Marketing, Cathy Williford, Yolanda
Willigis, Pamela and Thomas Wolfe, Peggy and Bob Wright, Robert Wunderlich, and Robert Zeuner. Also funded in part by the California Department of Food and
Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program and by the USDA Farm to School Grant Program.
Design by Design Action Collective
Georgette Aronow
Income by Type, July 2014–June 2015
$499,781
Mission
To educate, inspire, and connect Nevada County
families to fresh, local, seasonal foods.
Vision
Sierra Harvest envisions a thriving local food economy where residents
of all ages have access to nutritious, local, seasonal food through
strong connections among farmers, schools, and the community. We
envision a network of financially viable farms providing good food for
the community, where health and wellness is the norm and people are
engaged in growing, harvesting, preparing, and sharing fresh food.
In 10 years, we envision:
❀❀ 20 new farm businesses employing hundreds of young farmers
❀❀ A local food network that grows 25% of the food we consume
❀❀ 200 families that used to struggle to put food on their table will
be confidently growing food for themselves and their neighbors,
right in their own backyards
Sierra Harvest
313 Railroad Ave. Suite 201
Nevada City CA 95959
(530) 265-2343
www.sierraharvest.org
Amanda Thibodeau
❀❀ All school meals are cooked from scratch and garden and
nutrition education is part of the core curriculum