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. 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.

This year, we will be hosting the Food Smart Program in partnership with Alternative Sentencing. This program will include nutrition education and healthy cooking classes for those in probation and struggling with substance abuse and mental health.

Another program we will host is the Summer Search Program with Sierra Nevada Journeys that will provide food justice workshops for first generation students who identify as BIPOC.