Partner's Forum
Marin Ag Organizations
Local agriculture in Marin receives assistance from numerous local agencies and organizations. Working in partnership, these collaborating organizations bring solutions to the obstacles that Marin's farmers and ranchers encounter. To learn more about each of these partners, please go to:
Partner's Update
Marin ranchers and farmers heard on the Local Coastal Program
On April 16, 2015 the California Coastal Commission held a hearing for the Marin County Local Coastal Program (LCP). In the audience and at the microphone during the public comment period were a number of Marin’s farmers and ranchers. They were there to offer suggestions and find solutions to the few remaining points of disagreement.
The LCP is a land use policy required of California coastal counties by the Coastal Act. The Commission’s hearing was the culmination of more than seven years of local meetings and planning commission hearings. The draft LCP is very close to completion in terms of policies and procedures that protect coastal resources and support agriculture as a partner in preventing development.
One clear difference remains with regard to the definition of agricultural activities that will be allowed to continue without a permit. A number of Marin farmers and ranchers stepped to the microphone to share their concerns about this point and offer options and solutions.
At the end of the day, the Commissioners asked that Coastal Commission and Marin County Staff renewed their efforts to find language on this issue that support farming and preserve valuable ecological resources on Marin’s Coast. It is anticipated that these revisions will be before the Commission in November when it meets in Half Moon Bay.
View clips from farmer and rancher statements below:
Peter Martinelli for web
Cayman Ackerman for web
John Taylor for web
Sam Dolcini for web
An archived video of the full meeting including the testimonies of farmers and ranchers can be found online -- comments run from minute 53:00 to 2:37:32.