Bolinas Museum’s celebratory reception this Saturday marks the opening of “Bounty,” an inspiring program of exhibitions, tours, talks and educational events celebrating agriculture in coastal Marin.
The Bay Area is renowned for its fine food, creative chefs and great markets emphasizing locally grown products, many of which are produced here on a coastline famous for its influential agriculturalists. Many contemporary ranches and farms are the living continuation of an unbroken tradition at the heart of our colorful history. Today, the region leads the nation in innovation and sustainable practices and brings consumers a bounty of delicious, healthful, nutrient-rich fresh food.
The program that runs through the remainder of the year includes five museum exhibitions curated by farmer and educator Sandy Dierks and myself. Her knowledge and connections were invaluable in this process. There are also numerous interesting educational opportunities, including farm tours, panel discussions and family days.
The museum has partnered with other local organizations to offer events and special exhibits at the Tomales Regional Historical Society, the Point Reyes Farmers Market and the Stinson Beach Historical Society. A complete program of events will be available for the public at locations throughout the area and at bolinasmuseum.org.
The museum’s main gallery exhibition, “Bounty: Fine Food Production in Coastal Marin from 1834 to the 21st Century,” traces the history, continuity, innovations and production of superior food by small family farms and ranches on land swept by ocean winds on two tectonic plates, just one bridge away from the Bay Area metropolis.
In order to convey important elements of this complex story, a few examples, like organic dairyman Albert Straus and organic pioneer Warren Weber, represent the many producers of the region and those who form the extensive network that supports them. A short documentary created by Marc Sanchez-Corea brings in the contemporary faces and voices of some of these producers.
The museum will also feature two photography exhibitions, “Lexicon of Sustainability: Visionary Principles” and “Art Rogers: Faces of the Land.” The history room includes photographs from the 1920s to the 1950s by Marin’s first farm advisor, M.B. Boissevain, and the Permanent Collection Gallery features a selection of paintings from our collection related to the agricultural history of coastal Marin.
Food production is hard work. “Bounty” addresses the many challenges faced by contemporary growers and their passion for the agricultural way of life. No one knows land the way farmers and ranchers do. Over many years, they learn every nuance of its smells and peculiarities, as well as how to help their crops and animals thrive. Unlike agribusiness mono-cropping and crowded factory farms, coastal Marin farms and ranches are surrounded by riparian corridors and wild lands.
Today, local producers are evolving practices that emphasize sustainable and regenerative results. The region’s innovators have set new standards for the
nation.
The exhibit also reflects on local agriculture’s complex history. By the 1840s, the native Coast Miwok people’s abundant world had been radically changed by the introduction of thousands of Spanish cattle and sheep. By the 1860s, highly productive farms and ranches spanned the coast, from Tomales to the Point Reyes Peninsula to the Marin headlands, and dairies were the basis of the economy. At one point, the Shafter family’s butter-making empire of ranches covered the peninsula, producing two million pounds of butter a year.
Today, many of those ranches are still worked by fourth and fifth-generation families. Between the Golden Gate and Olema Valley there were at least 40 small dairies, and just around Bolinas there were 25. This heritage continues today with dairy ranches on both sides of Tomales Bay. The Straus family led the organic milk movement by becoming the first organic dairy west of the Mississippi and the first all-organic creamery in the United States. These days, newer businesses of goat, sheep and water buffalo dairies are making fine cheeses and
gelato.
This is just the beginning of the story. To learn more about Marin’s agricultural history and innovators, join us for the opening reception for “Bounty” and participate in our exciting programs.
The free reception this Saturday, Sept. 24 will include hors d’oeuvres generously provided by Inverness Park Market, Beth’s Community Kitchen and the Coast Café, each of which supports local growers. Beverages will be provided by Heidrun Meadery, Point Reyes Vineyards, Apple Garden Farm and Lagunitas Brewing Company. Preview talks with the curators start at 2 p.m., followed by a reception from 3 to 5 p.m.
Elia Haworth, a longtime Bolinas resident, is the Curator of Coastal Marin Art and History for the Bolinas Museum.