GRASS VALLEY, CA – 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 Center. In a strategic move designed to maximize community impact, Sierra Harvest will be moving its headquarters to share a building with the Nevada County Resource Conservation District (NCRCD), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Nevada County Farm Bureau.
“The NCRCD is welcoming another agricultural organization to our building, Sierra Harvest. Along with the Nevada County Farm Bureau and our Federal partners, the NRCS, we can help meet the needs of our agriculture community,” Jim Drew, Board President, NCRCD.
While Sierra Harvest only recently settled into its current location a year ago, this unique opportunity to create a “one-stop shop” for local farmers and ranchers was too significant to pass up. “We weren’t looking to move again so soon, but when the chance arose to work side-by-side with some of our closest partners, we knew it was the right choice for our community,” said Eli Bacon, Executive Director of Sierra Harvest. “This isn’t just a move for us; it’s an investment in a more connected future. One year in our previous space allowed us to pilot the transition to a flexible workspace and work schedule for our staff, and this new ‘center’ offers us the power of a collective front for Nevada County agriculture.” By bringing these four powerhouse organizations under one roof, the new center will streamline access to resources, foster deeper collaboration on conservation planning, and accelerate the mission of creating a resilient regional food economy.
The space has been the home for NCRCD, Nevada County Farm Bureau, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service for over 15 years. “We are looking forward to having Sierra Harvest as new neighbors. How wonderful for the community to be able to come to one place to visit the Farm Bureau, NCRCD, NRCS, and Sierra Harvest,” says Cindy Hintz, Executive Director Nevada County Farm Bureau. Similarly, Valerie Bullard, District Conservationist with NRCS states, “We’re thrilled to welcome Sierra Harvest as our new neighbors! We look forward to building a strong, collaborative relationship serving Nevada County.”
This centralized hub streamlines support for the local agricultural community by providing concurrent access to resources like NRCS funding opportunities, NCRCD technical assistance, Nevada County Farm Bureau’s legislative support, and Sierra Harvest’s educational programs. This proximity facilitates seamless coordination on critical collaborative initiatives while maximizing community efficiency. One such initiative, launched in 2024, is the Nevada County Agricultural and Working Landscape Conservation Plan. This action plan to protect at-risk agricultural lands in Nevada County is funded by the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program through the California Department of Conservation.
Sierra Harvest, NCRCD, Nevada County Farm Bureau, and NRCS look forward to welcoming the community to the new space. An open house for the new ‘center’ will be scheduled for later in the summer and allow community members to interact with all the agencies.
About Sierra Harvest
Sierra Harvest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and supporting a resilient, accessible local food system in Nevada County. Through farm-to-school programs, farmer support, and community education and access, Sierra Harvest works to connect our community with healthy, local food. Learn more at sierraharvest.org.