Novato, CA – Sometimes even the locals forget that only a narrow strip of Marin County, on its east side along Highway 101, is densely populated and classified as suburban. The rest of Marin is a wide expanse of jaw-dropping beauty featuring productive farms and ranches. Those local farmers and ranchers are showcased in a new video gallery brought forth by the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Marin, the County’s Farm Advisor.
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Devil's Gulch Ranch in Nicasio is one of the locations featured in the video series.
In the series, found on
UCCE’s Grown in Marin website, farmers and ranchers share their personal stories, accomplishments, and inspirations on their path toward agricultural diversification. Over 11 videos, the stories highlight local successes including the additions of pasture-based livestock products, organic certification, and value-added production such as artisan and farmstead cheeses.
“I am inspired by each farmer's story and grateful to be in a county with such a strong, vibrant and local agricultural community,” said David Lewis, County Farm Advisor and Director of UCCE Marin. “Our intent for the videos is to share their journey. The videos convey what diversification is, the trial and error along with the fortitude it takes to succeed, as well as the relative small scale at which diversification is taking. Combined, they represent the contributions and benefits that Marin's farms are providing to the local community.”
Agricultural diversification has helped producers meet changing market demands, rise above volatile commodity prices for milk and meat, and leverage the growing popularity of organic, as well as niche and artisanal products. This trend across the Marin County agricultural community over the past 20 years has enhanced the environmental and economic sustainability of local operations and helped ensure the viability of agriculture for generations to come.
Hear directly from hard-working, entrepreneurial, and creative individuals from the following businesses: Bivalve Dairy, Lafranchi Ranch, Marin Sun Farms, True Grass Farms, AllStar Organics, Star Route Farms, Table Top Farm, Big Mesa Farm, Toluma Farms and Tomales Farmstead Creamery, Chi’ken City by Kitty, and Devil’s Gulch Ranch.
To stay informed, subscribe to UCCE’s Grown in Marin seasonal e-newsletter or follow UCCE Marin on Facebook.