Edible Marin & Wine Country

Farming Tradition vs. Animal Rights

• Tresch dairy manager, Joey Tresch, with father Joe and mother Kathy Tresch, on their dairy farm. Tresch Family Farms is among those that would have to scale back some production if Measure J passes.

• Kathy Tresch holds a mixture of pasture forage crops, showing how biodiversity is a central tenant of organic farming systems.

• The 84% of Sonoma County’s dairies that are certified organic raise cows that graze on pasture whenever possible.

• Sonoma County organic cows are housed in barns during winter months with clean, dry bedding to protect the animals, maintain soil and pasture health and ensure water quality.

• Albert Straus has lead the way in organic dairy farming in the North Bay. Straus dairy farm was the first certified organic dairy farm west of the Mississippi River.

• Cassie King, a spokesperson for Measure J proponents, says affected farms wouldn’t have to shut down, merely modify certain operations to improve livestock conditions.