Farm Discovery at Live Earth is driven by a mission to empower youth and families to regenerate health in food, farming, nature, and community. Our home, Live Earth Farm, is a 150-acre connected, regenerative working farm of oak and redwood groves, and riparian corridor located in the Pajaro Valley north of Watsonville.
Our Big Idea is to address the increase in local food insecurity created by decreased federal funding. We will increase produce donations to local food pantries to up to 60,000 pounds —most is gleaned excess produce regeneratively grown by Live Earth Farm. This produce is considered “seconds” — not pretty enough for market standards but is as nutritious and fresh.
We also plan to include a SNAP-eligible CSA. As always, we offer hands-on learning through field trips, workshops, and farm-centered camps. Our youth are immersed in Farm Discovery’s scenic landscape while developing a connection to sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship.
With your support, we’ll continue to keep our cost to only $1.30/pound of produce, which covers produce and all labor, and provide fresh, locally grown, organic produce to socioeconomically diverse populations through partnerships with three community organizations (Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes, Holy Cross Food Pantry, and Encompass Community Services) while reducing produce waste in the process.
The addition of fresh fruits and vegetables has contributed to the overall health and well-being of the youth we serve. Farm Discovery's Support has been crucial to our members.
Rene Fuente
