Garden Program
IFM's Garden Program takes many shapes and forms, and there are MANY ways for you to get involved!
1. IFM Garden Sites
Several generous residents have partnered with IFM to host an IFM Garden Site on their property. Usually there is some existing infrastructure on the property or an established garden or an orchard that just needs some more hands to help plant, tend, and harvest its bounty!
IFM asks for three things ... use of the land, use of water, and access for IFM staff and volunteers. IFM can provide some funds and volunteers for infrastructure improvement, expertise from staff and several experienced volunteers, seeds and starter plants, and of course, the coordination of volunteers to do the work.
Each year, around 3,000-5,000 pounds of food are grown in the IFM Garden Sites.
IFM currently has active sites in Nevada City, near R&R Highway, and the Brunswick Y. Contact Venus at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering at one of these garden sites or if you own land and want to explore a partnership.
2. Gleaning Program
Since 2018, IFM has enjoyed an amazing partnership with Sierra Harvest to operate the Gleaning Program. Anyone with an over-abundant garden or orchard can contact the Gleaning Program and they will coordinate with you to get a team of volunteers to come and harvest whatever you are not going to be able to use, and they bring it to IFM for distribution to client families.
It is a great way to rescue locally grown food that maybe otherwise would have been wasted and get it directly into the hands and mouths of our neighbors in need! Since 2018, about 170,000 pounds of food has been harvested by the Gleaning Program.
They are also always looking for volunteers. See the website for the Gleaning Program for more information.
3. Land Together
Land Together (formerly known as the Insight Garden Program) is a gardening program taking place inside several California State Prisons. In 2023, a long-time IFM volunteer helped start a new LT garden program at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA. The inmate gardeners get to enjoy some of the bounty while they are working in the garden, and anything that can't immediately be eaten gets donated to IFM.
Check out this great article published on Yubanet in August 2025 sharing more about this partnership.
4. Community Food Campus at Mautino Park
More info coming soon ... ...
1. IFM Garden Sites
Several generous residents have partnered with IFM to host an IFM Garden Site on their property. Usually there is some existing infrastructure on the property or an established garden or an orchard that just needs some more hands to help plant, tend, and harvest its bounty!
IFM asks for three things ... use of the land, use of water, and access for IFM staff and volunteers. IFM can provide some funds and volunteers for infrastructure improvement, expertise from staff and several experienced volunteers, seeds and starter plants, and of course, the coordination of volunteers to do the work.
Each year, around 3,000-5,000 pounds of food are grown in the IFM Garden Sites.
IFM currently has active sites in Nevada City, near R&R Highway, and the Brunswick Y. Contact Venus at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering at one of these garden sites or if you own land and want to explore a partnership.
2. Gleaning Program
Since 2018, IFM has enjoyed an amazing partnership with Sierra Harvest to operate the Gleaning Program. Anyone with an over-abundant garden or orchard can contact the Gleaning Program and they will coordinate with you to get a team of volunteers to come and harvest whatever you are not going to be able to use, and they bring it to IFM for distribution to client families.
It is a great way to rescue locally grown food that maybe otherwise would have been wasted and get it directly into the hands and mouths of our neighbors in need! Since 2018, about 170,000 pounds of food has been harvested by the Gleaning Program.
They are also always looking for volunteers. See the website for the Gleaning Program for more information.
3. Land Together
Land Together (formerly known as the Insight Garden Program) is a gardening program taking place inside several California State Prisons. In 2023, a long-time IFM volunteer helped start a new LT garden program at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, CA. The inmate gardeners get to enjoy some of the bounty while they are working in the garden, and anything that can't immediately be eaten gets donated to IFM.
Check out this great article published on Yubanet in August 2025 sharing more about this partnership.
4. Community Food Campus at Mautino Park
More info coming soon ... ...
Bridge Your Passion For Gardening
to Help Feed The Hungry in Nevada County
New volunteer opportunities are opening up at Interfaith Food Ministry to help in community gardens. If you have a green thumb or simply want to spend more time outdoors and know that you're helping feed your local neighbors in need with your efforts, please contact us. Do you happen to have a garden or extra land on your property that you'd like to dedicate for growing vegetables that will go directly to those in need? We'd love to connect with you and let you know how to get started.
IFM's effort with community gardens to feed the hungry began in 2013, led by the Garden Gals who started their garden to benefit the community in need with healthy produce. Approximately 20,000 pounds of fresh produce has been grown by the Garden Gals for IFM through the years. Read more about it here.
Be part of the growing IFM garden community. Fill out an application and check off 'Gardening' as your volunteer interest and let us know a little bit about your experience on the bottom box. We'll help you get started right away. Do you have questions? Contact [email protected]
