The Future of Marin’s Farms and Ranches – Challenges and Opportunities

February 23, 2023

Marin County, in addition to its urban and open space public lands footprint, is comprised of nearly 170,000 acres of working ranches and farms. This open and connected landscape and the agriculturalists that tend to it are providing multiple stacked benefits for Marin and the region. David Lewis, Director of University of California Cooperative Extension in Marin, guided a presentation by the leaders of a group of dedicated and coordinated support organizations who assist area rancher and farmers to achieve on-farm production and environmental goals. These organizations include:

• Agricultural Institute of Marin

• Marin Agriculture, Weights, and Measures

• Marin Agricultural Land Trust

• Marin Resource Conservation District

• University of California Cooperative Extension Marin

Leaders from these organizations provide examples of how they collaborate and partner with Marin farmers to increase customer and market access, apply organic and sustainable practices, conserve soil, water, and habitat resources, and other important goals for the landscape.