Sierra Nevada Inducted into College of Ag Hall of Honor

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was honored as the newest member of the California State University, Chico College of Agriculture Hall of Honor on Oct. 8, 2011.

The College of Agriculture’s partnership with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. started in 2002. Through the partnership and support of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., students have had the opportunity to work at the University Farm Beef Unit feeding spent brewer’s grain and brewer’s yeast to cattle. The University Farm Meats Lab has also benefitted from the partnership through processing the cattle that were fed the brewer’s grain and yeast into meat products that are on the menu at the brewery restaurant in Chico, Calif. Students get to witness the full cycle of the meat industry and learn about niche markets.

The Hall of Honor Reception featured live music, beer, wine, cheese and sausage tasting and a silent auction that benefitted Superior Ag scholarships.

Hall of Honor was held in conjunction with Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend. On Oct. 8-9, the University Farm was featured as a stop on the farm trail and was open to passport holders for tours and tasting of the farm’s products. Several of the farm’s units had samples available, including pulled pork sandwiches at the Swine Unit, beef jerky at the Beef Unit, various fresh vegetables at the Organic Vegetable Project, sausage at the Meats Lab and lamb tacos at the Sheep and Goat Unit. The University Farm had more than 600 visitors over the two days.

For more information about Sierra Oro Farm Trail visit www.sierraoro.org.