At Sierra Focus Media, we recognize the need to move beyond traditional strategies and truly listen to rural communities. This led to the creation of SierraNOW, a research project focused on understanding the trust, concerns, and political perceptions of rural Californians through a short-form survey. The goal is to capture authentic insights without assumptions or biases.

What the Survey Asks

We are inquiring about trust, tone, significant issues, and political messaging that often gets ignored. Participants will share their feelings about politics, who they trust, and what they believe is overlooked in discussions about their communities. Our aim is to gather insights rather than just votes.

Why Now?

Rural California has often been depicted in political narratives, yet rarely as a source of insight. This project seeks to change that by fostering understanding through better questions. The last election cycle highlighted the disconnect in communication with rural communities, and this initiative aims to bridge that gap.

What Comes Next

SierraNOW represents the first phase of our efforts. The data collected will inform future initiatives focused on rural messaging, narrative development, and candidate preparation. Our long-term objective is to assist community leaders and campaigns in crafting authentic and effective messaging that resonates with rural Californians.

Want to Help?

We invite local partners, community groups, and organizers to share the survey and contribute to the next phase. If you're interested in collaborating on messaging, hosting discussions, or assisting with outreach, please reach out. Our mission is to listen to rural communities, not to speak for them.

Let’s work together to get this right.