Notes from the Editor

Marin’s Food System is on the Move

Great strides are being made to advance Marin’s Food System.  Within UCCE we have at new addition to our team, Paige Phinney.  She is the interim Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator, and is working closely with our partners on the Grown Local campaign and the Marin Agricultural Institute for Teachers, both of which we will talk more about in the next Grown In Marin News.  For this issue, we are sharing how easy it is to connect with local farmers and ranchers to enjoy the incredible bounty they produce.  In Meet your Maker, you have an up-to-date summary of the opportunities for on-farm tours, farmers markets, and other ways to support Marin’s agricultural producers directly.  Through the California Cottage Food Act, more and more individuals are also making forays into local food production.  Hear from these brave new agro-entrepreneurs and Marin’s Environmental Health Department about the opportunities that this new legislation is providing for artisan food purveyors in Look What's Cooking in the Kitchen.  All this local bounty does not just happen, it requires careful attention to the bottom line by sustainable farms and ranches. Many local ranchers had the opportunity to sharpen the viability of their operations by participating in the Ranching for Profit Workshop.  We hope you enjoy reading about these efforts, their contributions to Marin’s Food System and benefits to the Marin community.