(Provided by Motherlode Job Training)
Through Sierra Jobs First, Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) and the Central Sierra Economic Development District (CSEDD) helped build stronger regional infrastructure around the Sierra’s Natural & Working Lands and Sustainable Agriculture sectors, bringing businesses, workforce and education partners, Tribes, government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations into a more connected regional network.
One of our proudest outcomes is the development of the LEAF Partnership (Land, Energy, Agriculture & Forestry), which grew from a regional convening into an ongoing partnership with a network of more than 450 contacts, virtual workgroups, the LEAF Forum, a 2026 Regional Report, and new suite of new tools designed to support collaboration and information sharing. We also advanced work around forest-sector entrepreneurship and biomass utilization by supporting regional workforce and training connections, and developed the Regional Funding Coordination Framework to help partners better understand and coordinate around funding opportunities.
The LEAF Partnership now offers Bieocomy Playbooks for five counties, a forestry entrepreneurship toolkit, and more impactful tools that are on the way. Collectively, this work has helped move the region from individual conversations and projects toward a more connected ecosystem for advancing natural resource stewardship, economic development, workforce, and the emerging Sierra bioeconomy.
What Now?
Although Sierra Jobs First Sector Coordinator funding has concluded, MLJT and CSEDD plan to continue building on the regional infrastructure created through this work. LEAF will continue as an active regional partnership, providing a venue for partners to share projects and opportunities, identify funding and workforce needs, coordinate across organizations and counties, and develop collaborative solutions around Land, Energy, Agriculture, and Forestry. Partners can stay involved by participating in future LEAF workgroups and convenings, contributing to the LEAF Forum, sharing funding opportunities and regional updates, and helping shape future tools and priorities. Information and LEAF resources are available through SierraIndustry.org/LEAF, and partners interested in getting involved or joining the LEAF mailing list can contact BusinessServices@mljt.org.