Grown In Marin 

What is MAEA?
Founded in 1998, MAEA is a collaborative of agriculture and education agencies working together to promote agricultural literacy for a sustainable food system. Environmental Education Council of Marin acts as fiscal agent for MAEA at this time. Member agencies include the Environmental Education Council of Marin, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin County Farm Bureau, Marin County Office of Education, Marin Food Systems Project, Marin Organic, Slide Ranch, The Bay Institute, University of California Cooperative Extension, Regenerative Design Institute, Marin Montessori School, Marin Conservation Corps, Marin Master Gardeners, Environmental Traveling Companions, Marin Farmers Markets, Laurel Dell Elementary School, Windrush Farm, Devils Gulch Ranch, Walker Creek Ranch, Green Gulch Farm and the College of Marin.

PROGRAMS
Marin Farm Field Studies Program: The Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) runs the Farm Field Study Program offering visits to local farms and ranches including organic vegetable farms, dairies, beef and sheep ranches for students and teachers.
Contact: Sandy Dierks, FFS coordinator, (415) 868-0502
MALT Education Department, PO BOX 809 Pt Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415) 663-1338

Marin Agricultural Presentations for Schools and Community Groups: Creating and presenting talks and displays on Marin Agriculture for schools and community organizations.
Contact: Constance Washburn, Education Director Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT)
PO BOX 809 Pt Reyes Station, CA 94956 (415) 663-1338

Marin Food Systems Project - Environmental Education Council of Marin (EECOM): The Marin Food Systems Project aims to rebuild healthy and mutually supportive relationships between Marin County schools, their parent communities and local farms; to reintegrate an understanding that human health and is directly linked to the environment; and to create opportunities for students in schools to have hands-on, real world environmental education experiences.
Contact: Environmental Education Council of Marin 42 Bolinas Road, Suite G Fairfax, CA 94930 (415) 485-4908

Marin Education Farm and Garden Center: In August 2006 a Feasibility Study for an education farm and garden in Marin was completed. (Click here to see complete study.) The three top recommendations were:

Recommendation 1 - Regional Network of Sites; Foster a partnership with the Marin Center for Sustainable Agriculture (Marin Farmers Market) to develop an adjunct organic garden in central Marin.

Recommendation 2 - Mobile Agricultural Education Unit Explore the development of a mobile interactive education unit (similar in scope to a 'bookmobile') to promote local food systems, healthy eating and wellness, and sustainable agriculture for community events and schools not served through existing resources.

Recommendation 3 - Encourage MAEA Organizations, the Marin Conservation Corps and the College of Marin to Join efforts to create an education production garden/farm at the Indian Valley College Campus as part of the College's Proposal for the Center for Sustainability and Health.

Contacts: Marin Conservation Corps (for Indian Valley College farm project), 415- 454-4554

Marin Farmers' Markets (Center for Sustainable Agriculture), Brigitte Moran, Executive Director, (415) 472-6100 x109

Marin Agriculture and Education Forum 2002
In February 2002 forty-two Marin educators, ranchers, farmers, foundation and national park staff, and non-profit representatives came together to create a shared vision for agriculture and education in the county and to develop projects and ideas that would help make that vision a reality. (Click Vision for Agriculture and Education in Marin County for Vision Statement and indicators.)