Robin Carpenter co-hosts her show with local journalist, Trevor Hunnicut, in a conversation with Evan Wiig one of the founders of the newly formed North Coast Young Farmers Guild. Evan is a former NY publishing professional who has been called to the land as a rancher and partner in True Grass Farms in Valley Ford just up the road. We covered the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites and Threats) of becoming a local/regional sustainable farmer or food producer in our foodshed and across the country. Please check out the links and info below to see how you can help. Evan shared how the use of technology and social media are key components of surviving as a small farmer/rancher and why the Young Farmers Guild has grown at a dizzying pace and that the synergy is powerful. Trevor shared what happened at the Ag workshop put on by the California Coastal Commission (CCC) on 5/8/13 in San Rafael for all coastal farmers and ranchers. There has been a disconnect between the CCC and the needs of the coastal ag community and regulations and changes made without the input or consideration of the viability of our coastal family farms. This workshop appeared be a valuable start to bridging what appears to be a threatening divide.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act:

http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/7323/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=13898

Contact Evan to find out about the Young Farmers Guild - emwiig@yahoo.com

To see Trevor Hunnicut's article on the Coastal Commission workshop:   http://www.ptreyeslight.com/article/marin-ag-groups-parse-coastal-act-regulators

Sam Dolcini is a fifth generation rancher in Marin County and the President of the Marin County Farm Bureau. In discussion with host Robin Carpenter they discussed the challenges and issues facing local and regional family farms in our area. They also talked about recent developments within the farming/ranching/environmental community in our foodshed that threaten the tapestry of harmony that was woven so many years ago when the multi-generational agricultural community of Marin joined hands with the local environmental movement to create our working landscapes that provide us with a healthy foodshed working sustainably with Mother Nature. Great ideas around better communitcation, education and collaboration are to be found in this fascinating interview with Sam Dolcini.

Dr. Geoff Shester, California Director of the Oceana Institute, is in conversation with host Robin Carpenter about Oceana's latest legal action insisting that the latest science needed to be used in a recent court case regarding forage fish. We also talked about Oceana's success in getting the California  Fish and Game Commission's  to adopt a new "Forage Species Policy", the Pacific Fishery Management Council's commitment to prevent new fisheries from developing. We also talked about the stance of the NPS in not operating within an ecosystem mindset when it comes to collaboration. Trevor Hunnicutt, reporter for The Point Reyes Light, joined us to update us on the latest about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area claiming to own and have control over a large part of San Francisco Bay's Herring Fishery.The main concern with that is that if it is true that the GGNRA has authority to limit herring fishing, the Fish and Game Commission should be coordinating management with them. This is an important time for herring, as they are a key forage species and the future of the fishery is a wide open question, now that the stock appears to be recovering from collapse.

For more information you can go to   

www.oceana.org

www.ptreyeslight.com

Happy Earth Day!Trevor Hunnicutt, local journalist with the Point Reyes Light co-hosted with Robin Carpenter in a conversation with, Phyllis Faber co-founder of MALT (Marin Agricultural Land Trust)and Zack Walton, the attorney for the Alliance for Local Sustainable Agriculture (ALSA). ALSA and Phyllis Faber filed filed suit against the California Coastal Commission this month, claiming the commission's recent orders to Drake's Bay Oyster Company exceeded the agency's authority and were not subjected to environmental review before being issued, a violation of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Trevor also shared details of a story he wrote about the recent objection by the Environmental Action Committee of Marin (EAC) regarding the Local Coastal Plan amendments to help local farming families. And we couldn't forget Mother Earth's waters as we heard from Dr. Geoff Shester of the Oceana Institute about their work on forage fisheries and a recent court decision.

Lena Eastes and Nicole Rease are in conversation with host Robin Carpenter about the work they are doing at the Regenerative Design Institute (RDI) in bringing the Growing Goddess, rites of passage journey for young women to RDI. It's a five day overnight camp for young women ages 11-16 that creates a culture with the support of mentors and a close connection to the earth to mark the powerful transition into womanhood. The Farm and Foodshed report covers our relationship to our Foodshed, but also reminds us that not only can well respected land nuture our physical bodies by feeding us, but it also shares its wisdom with us through out our lives if we are open to the connection.

You can learn more about Growing Goddess and their brother program for young men at http://www.regenerativedesign.org/rites-of-passage or by calling RDI at 415-868-9681.

You might also want to check out Lena's Earth Path Education organization at http://earthpatheducation.com/

Earth Day Marin Executive Director, Hannah Doress, is in conversation with the folks who will be providing the wonderful food at Earth Day Marin on April 21st at Redwood Highschool in Larkspur. Guests include Kevin Lunny of Drakes Bay Oyster Farm, Lydia's Lovin' Kitchen and Barbary Coast Catering. Show starts about 20 minutes after the music begins.