Explore the rich history, vibrant culture, and abundant harvest of Sierra Valley with the welcoming communities of Plumas and Sierra Counties. The Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail invites you to embark on an autumn day adventure, immersing yourself in the scenic beauty and diverse offerings of the region.
As you journey along the trail, set your own pace and relish the experience of encountering Sierra Valley Barn Quilts, farmers markets, operational ranches, and historic buildings. The trail unfolds like a canvas, featuring local artists working with various mediums such as wood, paint, glass, ceramic, metal, and fiber.
This event serves as a captivating window into the past, harkening back to a time when Sierra Valley was home to numerous family-run dairies. These dairies played a crucial role in supplying milk, cream, and butter to the miners of the Comstock Lode in Virginia City. Guests have the unique opportunity to visit privately owned dairy barns, some over 100 years old, constructed with hand-hewn timbers and wooden pegs. These barns stand as a testament to the valley's heritage and continue to serve the needs of modern working ranches.
In and around these historic sites, local artists proudly display their creations inspired by the breathtaking landscapes of Sierra Valley. For those seeking a deeper connection, private tours of operational ranch sites are available. These tours provide insights into the history, current uses, and daily operations of the ranches.
The Sierra Valley Art + Ag Trail is a family-friendly affair, featuring children's activities, artist demonstrations, and educational sessions on food and fiber. For an enhanced experience, consider purchasing a commemorative passport, allowing you to collect stamps featuring local cattle brand insignia, artists' logos, and more.
Join us for a day of exploration, celebration, and connection with the Sierra Valley's rich tapestry of Art + Ag.
Sierra Valley is a stunning alpine valley the size of Lake Tahoe nestled between the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Range and the Great Basin. The Valley is host to many historic cattle ranches, beautiful old dairy barns, market farms and talented artisans of widely varied media. At the headwaters of the wild & scenic Middle Fork of the Feather River, the Valley’s freshwater marshes, grass meadows and sage steppes provide varied habitats that support a wide array of wildlife, including growing herds of pronghorn antelope, mule deer and the occasional elk. It's also a nationally designated Important Bird Area, with over 260 bird species visiting during the course of a year.
The Sierra Valley Art & Ag Trail is an event of the Sierra County Arts Council, produced by Musica Sierra with major funding from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy and Plumas Arts. The event was developed through the cooperative efforts of residents, local organizations, our sponsors, funders and many individual artists and family-owned farms and ranches.