Community Addressing Food Insecurity in Mariposa County

By: Sierra News Posted On: November 06, 2025 View: 2

MARIPOSA, CA – The collaboration between the UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County and local growers has entered its sixth year, continuing to provide fresh produce to organizations combating food insecurity within the county. To date, over 5,200 pounds of produce have been distributed.

Plant-a-Row Program Overview

The Plant-a-Row (PAR) program serves as a vital link between local farmers, home gardeners with surplus produce, and organizations such as Manna House, Mariposa Senior Services, The Alliance for Community Transformations, Heritage House, MiWu-Mati Healing Center, Idle Wheels Senior Mobile Home Park, Mount Bullion Conservation Camp, Mariposa Family Resource Center, Set Free Church, Mountain Crisis Services, Creekside Apartments, Connections Emergency Housing, Coulterville Café, and the Farm at Worman Mill Community Pantry.

Community Contributions

PAR gratefully accepts produce from various sources:

Farmers’ Market Vendors: Raw Roots Farm in Catheys Valley, Shasky Farms and Serrano Farms in Le Grand, Happy Goat Farms in Mariposa, and the House of Greens in Fresno.

Home Gardeners: Local residents contribute by bringing their extra produce to the Master Gardeners’ Farmers’ Market table each week.

Additionally, the UC Master Gardeners coordinate a weekly pickup directly from Happy Goat Farm, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity dedicated to growing produce and donating it to those in need.

Call to Action

The UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County extend their gratitude to all contributors and encourage local gardeners to consider planting an extra row or two in their plots for fellow Mariposans in need. This collective effort is instrumental in addressing food insecurity within the community.

For more information or to get involved, please contact the UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County at 209-966-2417.

UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County office is at 5009 Fairgrounds Rd. Visit our website at https://ucanr.edu/county/mariposa-county/master-gardener-program and Facebook page (UC Master Gardeners of Mariposa County) for more gardening information and events. UC Master Gardeners staff a Helpline serving Mariposa County, including Greely Hill, Coulterville, and Lake Don Pedro (209)-966-7078 or mgmariposa@ucdavis.edu. Listen to us on the radio at KRYZ 98.5 Mariposa on Wednesdays at 2:00 and Saturdays at 5:00.