Marin Organic
is an association of organic producers in Marin County whose
livelihood is based on a respect for nature and a sense of place. As
the primary link between farmers and eaters, Marin Organic is
committed to promoting and supporting a sustainable, organic county
- a county in which growers and the people who rely on them
recognize their mutual interdependence.
Founded in
1999, Marin Organic’s mission focuses on the environmental soundness
and economic viability of farming and ranching in Marin County. Its
members include such well-known names as Cowgirl Creamery, makers of
award-winning organic cheeses, Star Route Farms, the oldest
continuously certified organic farm in California, and Straus Family
Creamery, the first organic dairy west of the Mississippi.
In addition to
promoting local organic agriculture, Marin Organic has many projects
that address environmental issues, such as Salmon Safe certification
and a popular farmer education workshop series, as well as a variety
of programs which focus on community health, such as its Marin
Organic School Lunch and Gleaning Program, a program that also
addresses underserved communities in Marin.
By restoring
ecological and social values to agriculture and realigning
traditional expectations of farming with a holistic understanding of
ecology, Marin Organic aims to re-empower local communities, foster
environmentally sound agriculture and celebrate local food
production. Marin Organic is at the forefront of a movement which is
creating a healthy, sustainable, and safe environment for all
beings, today, and for generations to come.