The Sierra Valley is the kind of place people imagine when they think of country living: wide open spaces filled with meandering streams, grazing cattle, and farm houses along the winding two-lane road. Located high in Sierra Nevada mountains between the rapidly growing cities of Truckee and Reno, this remote area has long been the home of Native American tribes as well as generations of farmers and ranchers. Today, this rural community faces challenges from people who question agriculture as the most viable use of the land. Planned residential development and environmental regulations also threaten residents’ businesses and way of life. Greater communication between community members and government officials—both local and in Sacramento—would help shape future policies so that they preserve the community’s heritage while protecting agricultural production and natural resources for future generations.