Marin Sun Farms

FARMLAND: 3,865 leased acres in West Marin and Southern Sonoma, about 40 miles from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

PEOPLE: David Evans, his sister Julie and their parents, Daniel and Dolores, along with 14 full-time and 5 part-time employees

FARM HISTORY/PHILOSOPHY: David Evans is a fourth generation cattle rancher in Inverness who began raising grassfed beef in 1998. He raises his 100% grassfed and finished beef on leased land on and around his parents' historic ranch. Since 2002, he has also been developing a poultry business. Marin Sun Farms is committed to producing local, humanely raised, bio-enhancing, healthy food products for the community: "We understand that managing holistically is vital in sustainable, meaningful production and in maintaining the functioning stability of our ecosystem," Evans says.

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY PRACTICES: The cows are born and raised locally on cow/calf ranches in or around Point Reyes, California and purchased by Marin Sun Farms at weaning or when finished. They are approximately 10 months old at weaning, and 24 months old at finish. The managers of the cow/calf ranches guarantee that growth hormones have not been used and no antibiotic has ever been fed to the animals. Once on Marin Sun Farms ranches, the animals roam on green pastures that are managed to provide fresh grass every couple of days, simulating the natural environment of grazing livestock. David guarantees that no grain has been fed to the animals; they are 100% grass fed. This ensures that animals are not subjected to unhealthy pasture conditions and that the pasture is not subjected to unhealthy cattle conditions.The time exposure of livestock to a unit of land is critical in effective land management and is critical for a healthy ecosystem. The laying hens (chickens) spend their days outdoors in grassy pastures. At dusk they move into portable chicken houses located right in the fields. These movable coops contain egg boxes lined with bedding, an elevated floor and a roost. The coops are moved every few days so that the chickens always have access to fresh pastures.

WATER USE: Pastures rely on natural rainfall. No irrigation is used. The pasture-based system allows manure to recycle naturally back into the pasture.

ORGANIC CERTIFICATION: Much of David's land is Certified Organic by MOCA