A Big Step for Local Food: Sweet Water Farm Earns USDA Certification Through Sierra Sourced

We’re proud to announce a major milestone for our local food economy: Sweet Water Farm & Ranch Co. has officially received its USDA certification—and now carries the Sierra Sourced label.

This isn’t just a win for one ranch. It’s a signal of what’s possible when we invest in local infrastructure, reduce barriers for small producers, and make it easier to keep food dollars circulating within our communities.

As part of the Sierra Sourced pilot program—facilitated through the Tuolumne County Chamber of Commerce—Sweet Water Farm became one of the first producers in the region to move through the certification and labeling process. That means locally raised pork, sold under a regional identity that consumers can recognize and trust.

This step unlocks a host of new opportunities:

• Access to larger markets that require USDA certification

• Regional branding that helps differentiate local products in a crowded marketplace

• Increased consumer confidence in the safety, quality, and origin of their food

• Stronger supply chains rooted in place-based values and sustainability

At its core, Sierra Sourced is about creating the systems, partnerships, and visibility needed to support small and mid-sized producers across the Sierra region. Whether it’s ranchers like Sweet Water, family-run farms, or artisan makers, the goal is to empower local businesses to grow without having to leave the region to find markets.

We’ll be spending this week breaking down what Sierra Sourced is, how it works, and how we’re planning to expand access to more producers and makers in the months ahead.

This success story is just the beginning.