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EVENT ADVISORY
Sustainable Farming First

Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden

Marin Launches the Nation's First Organic Farming and Gardening Apprenticeship Program

California’s new apprenticeship program puts Marin County on the map as a national leader in organic farming

Who:
David Wain Coon, Ed.D., Superintendent/President, College of Marin
Peter Martinelli, Owner/Operator, Fresh Run Farm
John C. Duncan, Director, Department of Industrial Relations
Glen Forman, Acting Chief, Division of Apprenticeship Standards

What:
Official signing ceremony to launch the nation’s first Organic Farming and Gardening Apprenticeship program.

When:
Thursday, March 24, 2011
11:00 a.m. signing ceremony followed by one-on-one interview opportunities

Where:
College of Marin’s Indian Valley Organic Farm and Garden
1800 Ignacio Boulevard
Novato, California 94949  

From Highway 101 (north or south), take Ignacio Blvd. exit. Continue west on Ignacio Boulevard (approximately two miles) to the Indian Valley Campus. The farm and parking are located where Ignacio Boulevard dead ends.
                        
Why:
In response to strong growth and demand in the sustainable local food systems industry, the Divison of Apprenticeship Standards, under the Department of Industrial Relations, has made a commitment to help ensure the availaiblity of a skilled workforce trained in specialized methods of producing food that could be in danger of being lost without a comprehensive, legitimate training program designed to educate and inspire future generations of organic farmers.

The agreement reached between College of Marin and Fresh Run Farm in Bolinas to become educational partners in the Organic Farming and Gardening Apprenticeship program is a testament to their dedication to the environment and social equity. This unique partnership provides students a combination of instruction both in the classroom and on a certified-organic farm in a paid position working alongside the farm’s operator.     
 
The Organic Farming and Gardening Apprenticeship program will contribute to the future growth of farming practices that can improve nutrition, conserve resources and contribute to communities.


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