MARIN COUNTY, CALIF (November 1, 2005) – The royal visit of the Point Reyes Farmers Market, operated by Marin Organic, and organic farms in West Marin, scheduled for November 5th, focuses a world spotlight on efforts of Marin Organic and many other organizations in Marin County working to promote and protect sustainable agriculture.

"We are working to create the first all-organic county in the nation. A county in which residents and eaters recognize their mutual interdependence," says Helge Hellberg, Executive Director of Marin Organic. "And the visit of The Royal Highness and his wife is such an amazing honor and confirmation that our work here is of critical importance far beyond our county line," says Hellberg.

Marin County has been an innovator in sustainable agriculture for more than 30 years, and has become a model county for its agricultural efforts. Marin Organic is part of a group of several organizations and governmental agencies in Marin that work collaboratively to keep agriculture in this county alive and thriving. Marin County, which in November of last year became one of the first counties in American to ban Genetically Engineered crops, is home to internationally acclaimed pioneers in organic foods and farming.

"Marin County is unique because it has some of the best organic producers," says Hellberg. Marin Organic's members include such well-known names as Warren Weber's Star Route Farms, the oldest continuously certified organic farm in California; Sue Conley's Cowgirl Creamery, home of award-winning organic cheeses; and Straus Family Creamery, the first organic dairy west of the Mississippi - among many others.

Marin Organic just released the first-ever Marin Organic Farmer Calendar, featuring some of the many faces of sustainable agriculture in Marin County. "The story of why the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are visting Marin County is in this calendar. As a society, we have forgotten what the lives of the people who grow our food look like. This calendar really tells the story of the organic farmers in this county," says Hellberg.

Click here to see the calendar.

Media Contact:
Helge Hellberg, Executive Director, Helge@MarinOrganic.org,
office (415) 663-9667, cell (415) 722-1426

Additional Information

November 5th - Details of the Royal Visit to the Point Reyes Farmers' Market

Media coverage

Prince’s visit gives organic farming royal treatment
Capital Press, November 11, 2005

Royals tour organic farms
Capital Press, November 11, 2005

British Royals Promote Eco-Farming
The Epoch Times, November 10, 2005

Royal Visitors Boost Organic Farming
The Gourmet Retailer, November 8, 2005

Royals Make Some in the Bay Area Feel Like Kings for a Day
Los Angeles Times, November 6, 2005

Royals Get Down to Earth: Charles, Camilla Charm Pt. Reyes Station Farmers Market, Impress Organic Growers
The Press Democrat, November 6, 2005

Prince Charles, Camilla Attend Church on Second Day of Visit to California
sfgate.com, November 6, 2005

NORTH BAY / British Royals, Locals Find Common Ground / No Superior Attitude from Friendly, Chatty Charles and Camilla
sfgate.com, November 6, 2005

NORTH BAY / British Royals, Locals Find Common Ground / No Superior Attitude from Friendly, Chatty Charles and Camilla (photo)
sfgate.com, November 6, 2005

Organic Farming's American Heartland Awaits Royals
New York Times, November 5, 2005

Prince Charles, Camilla Visit Market, Organic Farm in California
sfgate.com, November 5, 2005

Prince's Visit Gives Organic Farming Royal Treatment
sfgate.com, November 5, 2005

A Down-to-Earth Visit by a Royal Highness Tour by Charles and Wife to Focus on Organic Farming
sfgate.com, November 4, 2005

Upcoming Visit by Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall to Point Reyes Station Fails to Fluster Laid-Back West Marin
The Press Democrat, November 4, 2005

A Down-to-Earth Visit by a Royal Highness Tour by Charles and Wife to Focus on Organic Farming
San Francisco Chronicle, November 4, 2005

Royal couple headed to Bay Area
Contra Costa Times, November 2, 2005

Royal Preparations (photo 1)
Royal Preparations (photo 2)
Royal Preparations (photo 3)
Santa Rosa Press Democrat, November 2, 2005

Visit Fit for a Prince: Prince Charles, Camilla to stop at Marin farms on upcoming U.S. tour
The Press Democrat, October 31, 2005

Prince Charles to Visit Marin Farm
ABC News, October 31, 2005

Resources for Journalists

Press Releases

Marin Organic Welcomes Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall
November 1, 2005

2006 Marin Organic Farmer Calendar: First Calendar Featuring Marin Organic Pioneers
October 11, 2005

Media Contacts:

Helge Hellberg, Executive Director
Office: ( 415) 663-9667
Cell: (415) 722-1426
Email: helge@marinorganic.org

For more information about the Prince of Wales, please visit www.princeofwales.gov.uk.