The Sierra Garden is cultivated by the Sierra Garden Club. The Club provides educational and mentoring activities for at-risk youth in Sonoma County. Horticultural and culinary facilities are provided by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors with garden club members serving as volunteer staff. Donations and sales support scholarships, the FISH Food Pantry, Valley of the Moon Children's Home programs as well as a weekly program for former Sonoma Developmental Center residents. Scholarships are awarded through the 10,000 Degrees program to students majoring in viticulture, horticulture, or culinary arts.
The 3/4 acre garden is located on the grounds of the former Sierra Youth Center of Sonoma County near St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa. The garden area was revitalized in early 2013 by volunteers. There are more than 30 volunteers who, with the youth, cultivate the fruit trees and bushes, a variety of herbs, vegetables and flowers. Flower and vegetable starts are raised in the two greenhouses. The garden bee hive produces honey and the butterfly garden attracts beneficial insects. On Saturday mornings from April to October, the public is invited to visit the garden and purchase produce and products with the sales supporting the garden. Most of the gardening is a communal effort, where everyone shares the garden products. Some volunteers reserve a raised bed for their personal use. All additional produce is donated to FISH, a local food pantry serving those in need of food. The produce in this garden is grown by environmentally sustainable methods using non-potable water.
The Culinary Program takes place on designated afternoons in the kitchen located near the garden. Volunteers help the young people utilize the home grown produce to develop nutritious meals. There is also a classroom in the garden/kitchen complex available for special projects.
Funding for the Sierra Garden Club comes from dues paid by the volunteers, sales of produce, financial support from County of Sonoma, and assistance from Valley of the Moon Rotary Club.
The Culinary Program takes place on designated afternoons in the kitchen located near the garden. Volunteers help the young people utilize the home grown produce to develop nutritious meals. There is also a classroom in the garden/kitchen complex available for special projects.
Funding for the Sierra Garden Club comes from dues paid by the volunteers, sales of produce, financial support from County of Sonoma, and assistance from Valley of the Moon Rotary Club.
