What others say about Marin collaboration

Participants in the collaboration among SAREP, the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, Marin County, and UC Cooperative Extension share their enthusiasm about the partnership:

“This position gives us a fabulous opportunity to really push marketing and promotional initiatives for local foods and to continue to help farmers and ranchers diversify their operations. The quality of Marin County agricultural production is undisputed.” —Marin Cooperative Extension Director Ellie Rilla.

“This is an exciting time for agriculture in Marin County, and SAREP’s visionary support of the organic program coordinator is one reason for that. Workshops have been well attended and enthusiastically received, and Steve Quirt is getting to know the concerns of ranchers countywide. SAREP’s backing of this project is already paying off.” —organic vegetable grower Warren Weber of Star Route Farms, Bolinas.

“It’s nice to have a local organic farmer [Steve Quirt] as the Marin Organic Coordinator. We feel he’ll represent the organic community well and help us grow into the future. The whole organic industry is about to explode with the new federal law. And it’s nice to know that Marin County is ready to meet that challenge.” —Albert Straus, president, Straus Family Creamery, Marshall.

“Collaborations such as this one are essential for any long-term, sustainable solutions to be successful. The leadership from SAREP, the support from the Clarence E. Heller Charitable Foundation, and the utilization of our university county-based Cooperative Extension offices enabled Steve Quirt to immediately implement the new organic program in Marin. I truly hope this model can be duplicated in other counties throughout California.” —Kimberly A. Rodrigues, regional director, ANR North Coast and Mountain Region.