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Marin Agricultural Institute
Special Alert: February 2010
What about the Farmers?
 
Read the recent op-ed piece from the Marin IJ, that our Executive Director Brigitte Moran wrote.
 
Read the article.
 
 
Brigitte Moran
Farmers Markets See Risks From Growth
 
Read the article from the Wall Street Journal, that quotes Brigitte Moran of MAI and some of our local farmers such as Full Belly, Balakian Farm, and Barbagelata.
Donate to Haiti
 
Mark and Myriam Pasternak of Devil's Gulch Ranch have been volunteering in Haiti for many years, teaching sustainable ranching techniques to rural communities.
 
They were in Haiti during the devastating earthquake. 
 Hear their story on KCBS.
 
Donate to the cause. Read Myriam's blog 
 that tracks donations and recounts current news and stories from Haiti.
Save Your Local Oyster Farm!Kevin Lunny
Please take five minutes to watch The Oystergate Scandal and hear the Lunny's story.
 
The lease for their farm is set to expire within the next growth cycle of their oysters. Unfortunately, there are those in the Park Service who are not supportive of local farmers and they are doing everything they can to prevent the lease from being extended... learn more.
Mark Pasternak and PigletDevil's Gulch Ranch May Not Get Their Use Permit 
Every summer around 400 children come to eat, play and learn on the Devil's Gulch Ranch during their annual summer camp. Their neighbors are trying to block the Pasternak's from getting their expanded use permit, which would include: overnight and additional camper numbers, as well as farm dinners and educational tours. Not only does the camp give these children hands on experiences in real work, but it gives them the opportunity to connect to local agriculture and their food, in a way most people never get to. Watch this video to learn more about their camp.
 
The date for the hearing with the County Supervisors is still to be announced (although it will probably be on March 23rd or 30th), we will keep you posted on the final date and location. If you can not attend, please write a letter of support to both Mark Pasternak and Curtis Havel of the County of Marin: chavel@co.marin.ca.us