This year marks Marin Organic's 10th anniversary! Looking back, we realize how many important and lasting changes have occurred in the county's food and agricultural landscape. So lasting, in fact, that sometimes even we forget that it wasn't always like this.

Ten years ago, pioneering organic farmers and food producers like Warren Weber of Star Route Farms, Sue Conley of Cowgirl Creamery, Janet Brown of Allstar Organics, and Albert Straus of Straus Family Creamery formed an organization committed to:

• Growing food in Marin County without chemical fertilizers or pesticides


• Site specific water and soil conservation practices


• Protection for wildlife habitat


• Community-based and socially-just economic practices

Bound by these principles, our founders established Marin Organic in 2001 as an advocate and hub of information for organic producers across Marin, and worked with the local Agricultural Commissioner to create the nation's first county-based, organic certification program. This powerful demonstration of the county's dedication to organic agriculture has inspired dozens of Marin's farmers to become organically certified throughout the years.

Over the past decade, Marin Organic has connected, convened and collaborated with government agencies, environmental groups, schools, businesses and like-minded associations, playing a pivotal role in establishing Marin County as "the national epicenter of the organic food movement" (The New York Times). Together, we have reached many milestones, including:

• Increasing certified organic acreage in Marin County from 400 acres to nearly 20,000


• Certification of 68 organic food and agricultural operations in Marin


• Two legislative victories, including a countywide ban on the cultivation of GMO crops and cease-spray of the Light Brown Apple Moth


• A farm-to-school lunch program linking 40 Marin Organic producer members to more than 10,000 students at public and private schools throughout Marin

• Gleaning of more than 160,000 lbs. of free, local organic food from Marin Organic farms and food operations for donation to schools and resource centers


• Fostering awareness and a personal connection with farm life for hundreds of urban and underserved youth through the Marin Organic Farm Days program


• Growing a solid network of Bay Area restaurants, caterers, hotels, and grocers committed to sourcing from Marin Organic producer members


• A Farmer Loan Fund offering interest-free loans to Marin Organic producers

• Hosting dozens of international delegations from Italy, China, Canada, Denmark, Spain and Japan, as well as HRH the Prince of Wales in 2005


• Educating thousands of community members on the benefits of locally grown, organic food through our website, newsletters and events, including farm tours, farmer dinners and the annual Food for Thought series featuring notable food authors like Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, Dr. Vandana Shiva and Alice Waters

We are incredibly proud of Marin Organic's accomplishments and partnerships, and we hope you are, too. As part of the Marin Organic community, you have helped grow our association from a small group of individuals into a close-knit network of producers and eaters.

Collaboration remains the key to success in our work, so we invite you to join us in making the next 10 years as revolutionary as the first. Your donation today will help Marin Organic expand consumer education about the benefits of local, organic food production; provide one-on-one support and develop new markets for our farmers, ranchers and food producers; increase the reach of our farm-to-school program and service to low-income communities; and further our partnerships on ground-breaking projects such as the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Marin Carbon Project and West Marin Compost, to name a few.

Join us in commemorating our 10th Anniversary by making a one time donation of any amount or becoming a Friend of Marin Organic. Friend memberships range from just $40/year ($5/month) per family, to Full Tilth Friends who receive a private tour for 10 people at a Marin Organic farm, ranch or artisan operation. At all levels in between, Friends enjoy savory benefits, and every Friend of Marin Organic receives exclusive discounts and invitations to members-only events.

For details about becoming a Friend of Marin Organic today, click here. For additional information about Marin Organic please contact us.

Together, we can continue to sow the seeds of a food system that strengthens the local economy, protects the environment and nourishes our community.

Here's to the next decade!

In gratitude,

Adrienne Baumann Executive Director, Marin Organic	Peggy Smith Co-Founder, Cowgirl Creamery President, Board of Directors