Backyard, balcony, and community gardens are a unique and essential resource to the health and wellbeing or individuals and communities. Backyard and community gardens can provide small-scale growers, urban residents, and neighborhoods with nutritional, emotional, physical, and spiritual sustenance and provide an accessible venue to grow food when owning, renting, or otherwise using large land lots is not possible.
Below exists resources the Placer RCD offers its clients and constituents. Click here to receive updates and news about this project and other backyard and community agriculture news, events, and programs.
To speak with Placer RCD staff about backyard & community ag related topics or to schedule technical assistance, contact:
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Brian Pimentel
Agriculture Program Manager
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Andrew Justus-Fritz
Community & Conservation Director
Placer County Community Garden Map
Fresh Food Access and Food Security Resources and Education
Fresh and healthy food is a critical element to a healthy and thriving community but its not so easily accessed by those experiencing food insecurity within Placer County.
As of December 15, 2021 (at the time this was written), it is estimated that there are 31,320 people (8.1%) of Placer County residents who are experiencing food insecurity (Source: Feeding America). Of those 31,320 people, 51% are above SNAP or other nutrition programs threshold of 200% poverty. This means they must use food closets and other food distribution sites to meet their food needs.
You can donate your surplus backyard and balcony produce to local food closets (food pantries). To connect with one, visit Ampleharvest.com, the Placer Food Hub (see below), or contact a food distribution site in the map information below.
To learn more about food insecurity, what causes it, its effects on people and communities, and how to end it, visit Feeding America.
Placer County Food Systems: A Report to the Community
Placer County Food Distribution Sites
Placer Food Hub
The purpose of the Placer Food Hub group is to provide accessible food services for free or at a low cost to Placer County residents. It works like an exchange.
Placer RCD Backyard & Community Ag News
- Placer RCD and Lincoln Salt Mine Partner to Improve Food Security with New Urban Orchard
- Placer County Community Garden Leader’s Tour: Fostering Connection, Sharing, and Place-Based Leadership
- Placer RCD Awarded $22,388 to Support Historically Underserved Farmers, Ranchers, and Students in Placer County
- Placer RCD Hosts First Community Garden Leadership Tour
Placer RCD Backyard & Community Ag Projects
- ਕੈਲੀਫੋਰਨੀਆ ਦੀਆਂ ਜ਼ਮੀਨਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਰਿਹਾਇਸ਼ੀ ਬਹਾਲੀ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਜਲਵਾਯੂ ਲਚਕਤਾ Provides financial assistance
- Urban Ag & Community Initiative
- Climate Resilience Through Habitat Restoration on California Lands Provides financial assistance
- Urban & Community Initiative (2023)
- 2021 Placer County Community Gardens Review past project
- Planting Hope past project
- Accessible Raised Garden Bed Design Plans past project
- Container Garden Fresh Food Access Initiative past project
- Lincoln Salt Mine Urban Orchard past project
Backyard & Community Ag Media
- Accessible Raised Bed Instructions and Guide
- 2021 Placer County Community Gardens Review
- Recommended Plants for Pollinators & Beneficial Insects for California Sierra Foothills Region (Xerces Society)
- FREE Backyard Garden Technical Assistance
- Healthy Humus, Healthy Humans Poster
- ¡Assistencia Técnica Gratis! para su Jardín
- Planting Hope Kit Giveaway Press Release
- Backyard & Balcony Fruit & Vegetable Garden Technical Assistance flyer
More Backyard & Community Ag Information
Financial Resources
Free technical assistance is available. Please contact the key staff listed above for more information or to schedule a site visit.