SUPPORT FOR GRAZING ON MROSD LAND
At our Slow Food South Bay meeting on February 12, 2020, the Leadership group agreed to seek support from the whole membership for allowing grazing on public lands belonging to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (MROSD.)
More specifically, the grazing lease for Toto Ranch, operated by Markegard Family Grass Fed, is up for renewal, and MROSD needs to know there is public support for this local family farm and for the benefits of grazing on local, public grasslands.
Review of the Markegard’s lease will be an agenda item for the MROSD Board meeting on February 26 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at MROSD headquarters, 330 Distel Drive, Los Altos. The agenda for the meeting will be posted at: https://www.openspace.org/about-us/board-meetings.
Those who wish to speak at the meeting will be allowed two minutes each. If you cannot attend the meeting or are hesitant to speak in public, you may send your comments ahead of time to: https://www.openspace.org/about-us/board-member-contact-form.
The only way to have local, grass-fed meat in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties is to allow grazing on public and private grasslands. Grazing contributes to healthy soil, which in turn supports the biodiversity on which all of us depend. The Markegards practice regenerative farming, which is different from conventional ranching and worlds away from confined animal feeding operations. The Markegard’s farming methods benefit rather than compete with wildlife.
Most importantly the Markegards live by Slow Food principles 24/7. If you buy their meat, you can be sure the animals are raised humanely in clean, sustainable surroundings. You can visit Toto Ranch during Ranch Days, you can meet the family and know with certainty where your meat is coming from. You can learn what it takes to operate a ranch.
You don’t have to eat meat to appreciate the benefits of regenerative farming. Vegans and vegetarians benefit from healthy soil, which contributes to clean air, clean water and greater carbon sequestration.
If you have questions about how to best support the Markegard Family or wish to invite others to help support them, please contact Doniga at:
Doniga Markegard
Markegard Family Grass-Fed LLC
doniga@markegardfamily.com
https://www.markegardfamily.com/
650-670-7984
Links to Articles supporting regenerative farming:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/an-open-letter-from-a-far_b_5587803?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004