Marin Roots Farm

PRODUCTS: Row crops

FARMLAND: 10 acres in Petaluma, about 35 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

PEOPLE: Jesse Kuhn along with 6 full-time and 2 part-time employees

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY: Jesse became interested in farming in college, where he took classes in agriculture and eventually managed a student-run farm. After volunteering and working on several farms, he decided to start his own on leased land in Marin in 2003. Says Jesse, "Farming is at the root of the sustainability movement. My farm provides its workers with a living wage, and we feed a lot of people from the “fruits” of our labor. We are also working to educate the public about the importance of good food. Food is not something to be taken for granted. Food is something sacred."

SOIL: To enrich the farm's soil, Jesse uses green manure and mulch, and incorporates aged manure, compost, and crop residue.

PEST MANAGEMENT: To control pests, Jesse rotates crops, creates habitat for beneficial insects, uses physical barriers, and tries to choose pest-resistant varieties.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: Marin Organic Certified Agriculture