Marin Clean Energy (MCE), Marin’s not for profit, community-based electricity provider, has identified the agricultural sector as a key area of focus for achieving greenhouse gas reductions. Help MCEdesign the best energy savings program possible by sharing your experiences in this brief online survey.
The Dairyman’s Convention is coming up soon! The Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance 2014 Conference will be October 14th &15that the Double Tree in Rohnert Park. Register online now.
Check out the Third Annual Fibershed Wool & Fine Fiber Symposium on November 15th from 10a.m. to 6p.m. The symposium will take place at the Dance Palace in Pt. Reyes Station, and features informative presentations on breeding practices that build heirloom garments, predator- and pollinator-friendly practices that harmonize between wild and domestic spaces, and much more. Experts will offer hands-on demonstrations in sheep shearing, skirting fleece, wool grading, angora rabbit shearing, cashmere fiber processing, felting, and natural dyes, and a host of amazing artisans and farmers will be selling their freshly farmed, locally grown and made creations and fibers. Find out more and register online.
Check out Marin Organic's workshop series: Farming 101, hosted on the second Tuesday of each month to teach practical skills to aspiring, novice and working farmers who wish to embrace organic methods. Subjects include soil health, tractor repair, small business practices, marketing, and irrigation, among many others. Some beginning farmers will also have the opportunity to work with an experienced farmer during a year-long mentorship.
UC Cooperative Extension has launched a free online course to help growers ensure their crops are free from pathogens that can cause foodborne illnesses while protecting soil and water quality and wildlife habitat. The intent of the training is to demonstrate that communication between food safety professionals and growers can help achieve a balance between food safety and sustainability.
Congratulations to David Evans for being named Rancher of the Year! The Sonoma County Fair Board and members of the local ranching industry have selected David Evans, owner of Marin Sun Farms of Point Reyes, as this year’s Outstanding North Bay Rancher and the recipient of the J.W. Jamison Perpetual Trophy. Evans is honored for his foresight and leadership within the ranching industry and for his outstanding contributions to enrich Sonoma County agriculture.
Conlan Ranches of California and True Grass Farms in Valley Ford were honored as a regional winner of the Environmental Stewardship Award Program. The award, which is sponsored by Dow Agro Sciences, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, is presented to farmers and ranchers who are working hard to protect America’s natural resources.
The 8th annual Ag Roundtable took place on September 25, 2014 at the Druids Hall in Nicasio. Agriculture producers were invited to join Supervisor Steve Kinsey, County staff members and representatives of agricultural support organizations for a discussion of issues currently facing agriculture in Marin. Reports were provided on current county efforts, funding for Ag easements, Ag worker housing, the local coastal program land use plan, a permanent farmers market, the Grown Local program, and drought response. The meeting included roundtable discussion of current issues, problems, and solutions.
Announcing California Artisan Cheese Guild ACS 2014 Winners! This year 248 companies submitted a total of 1,685 products across 106 categories for 2014’s ACS Judging and Competition in Sacramento. California brought home a slew of 41 ribbons (second only to our rival dairy state, Wisconsin) including many winning cheeses and dairy products made by Marin County Artisan Cheese Guild creameries: http://www.cacheeseguild.org/node/357
Marin County 4-H youth are participating in National Youth Science Day, focusing on environmental awareness this year. The event engages thousands of youth to complete the national science experiment challenging youth to design and build an aerodynamic food transportation device that can deliver a payload of nutritious food to disaster victims.
