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Page 6 farmland preservation report October 2005 � operations seen p ht on e09 spotlight p g s local a incubator a g Bo b Berner Executive Director Continued from page 1 Marin Agricultural before.' I think it hasn't been done before because it was too simple of Land Trust an idea," Marqusee told FPR. The property tax rebate program, enacted as the Organics Conver- Bob Berner has been leading the nations sion Policy, will go into effect Jan. 15, 2006. "I know I have a few top agricultural land trust since 1984, in takers," Marqusee said. Marin County, California. Just over the bridge from San Francisco, Marin has a But he is not leaving the future of the tax credit to chance. He is decidedly rare character. It is a metropoli- putting together a "Local Food Purchase Policy in an effort to foster an tan county where farmers themselves entrepreneurial ag economy with a ready market. sought to retain agriculture by urging the adoption, at an early date (1972) of 1:60 "We know there's $320 million in local grocery sales, and only one agricultural zoning and later creating the percent of that is locally produced. If we could increase that to 10 Marin Agricultural Land Trust. FPR percent, we'd have $32 million" i n locally produced gross sales, while he was caught up with Berne r w attending the Land e Trust Rally in Madison. Marqusee said. "We're trying to create a process to buy local food, to provide further incentive for organics." A guaranteed local market, he said, would bring local producers into business. FPR: Well Bob, i know you're at the Land Trust Rally. What did you hear The Local Food Purchase Policy would require that all county food today that was interesting? facilities purchase oca ly grown rooOLWnenever availaoie; iT iut avaii� BERNER: It's been an interesting Rally then typical outside suppliers would be used. The county food with good sessions. Robert Kennedy Jr. able, service contractor would provide a "demand matrix" and a local food was here. He is a very articulate and charismatic speaker. broker would provide a "supply matrix" to determine availability in FPR: What did he have to say in advance. particular about [land conservation ?] BERNER: He made points about what Marqusee's office has been putting together the first annual Organic this administration is doing, looking at Growers Conference, focusing on the economics, markets, and "how- environmental conservation from a to" of organic farming to take place next month featuring successful variety of viewpoints — economic, religious and spiritual and making the case organic producers sharing their ideas and experiences. that what's happening in this One of Marqusee's rallying points for fostering an organics trend in administration is contrary to any his county was research that showed that organic farms strengthen local thoughtful consideration or belief about our children and the future. agricultural economies. FPR: Sounds like a rallying speech. According to Luann Lohr, of the University of Georgia Department BERNER: It was. ofAgricultural and Applied Economics, "counties with organic farms FPR: Bob, you've been in the land conservation field for a long time, have stronger farm economies and contribute more to local economies since at least 1980... through total sales, net revenue, farm value, taxes paid, payroll, and BERNER: Well, I started with MALT in purchases of fertilizer, seed, and repair and maintenance services." 1984, but I was with The Nature Conservancy in the early 70's. Just as important to Marqusee was what organic farm operations FPR: So what can you possibly learn could mean to the future rural culture of Woodbury County in terms of at the Rally? being a place to live and work. Lohr's 2002 research found that "court- BERNER: You never know everything... there's always something to learn. It does ties with organic farms have more committed farmers and give more get harder as time goes by, but there are support to rural development with higher percentages of resident full- still interesting ideas — since I'm time farmers, greater direct to consumer sales, more workers hired, and involved in a locally focused program, it's higher worker pay. Contact. Rob Marqusee, 712- 279 -6609. Also, always interesting to get out and talk to other people and hear what they're doing, see www. organ icconsumers. org and www woodburyiowa. com. because there is probably something to