Looking Ahead: Planting the Next Harvest

While summer is still in full swing, Hidden Harvest is already looking ahead to the next growing season.

Beginning in mid to late August, local farmers participating in our Small Farmers Program will begin direct sowing seeds for crops such as cucumbers and squash. In the weeks that follow, additional crops started as seedlings in local nurseries will be transplanted into the fields throughout September and October.

This early planning is what makes future harvests possible.

Hidden Harvest's Small Farmers Program helps reduce the financial risk many local growers face by investing in crops before they're harvested. Through the program, participating farmers receive assistance with growing expenses, allowing them to focus on producing high-quality fruits and vegetables while knowing there is a dependable local partner committed to purchasing their harvest.

Months later, those same cucumbers, squash, and other seasonal vegetables will be distributed free of charge through our Senior Markets and Community Partner Program, providing fresh, nutritious produce to low-income seniors, children, families, and individuals throughout the Coachella Valley.

It's a reminder that every harvest begins with a single seed.

As fields are planted over the coming weeks, we're grateful to the dedicated farmers whose hard work makes this program possible. Their partnership not only supports local agriculture but also helps ensure thousands of our neighbors have access to healthy, fresh produce grown right here in our community.

We look forward to sharing the journey from seed to harvest with you in the months ahead.

Hidden Harvest Small Farmer Audencio and Executive Director Francisco Linares stand in a field of maturing squash plants grown through Hidden Harvest's Small Farmers Program, where today's crops become tomorrow's fresh produce for our neighbors in need.