The Marin Independent Journal ran an article in yesterday's paper announcing that the director of UC Cooperative Extension in Marin County, Ellen Rilla, is taking a sabbatical leave beginning June 30 to update her 1997 book "California Agritourism Handbook for Farmers and Ranchers."
According to the story, written by Rob Rogers, she expects to work elsewhere in the University of California Cooperative Extension system after her writing sabbatical ends.
Rilla has served as county director for 21 years, coming to the University from Circuit Rider Productions of Windsor, where she worked on a $1.2 million wetlands restoration project. As UCCE director, she has been dedicated to preserving Marin County agriculture, the article said.
"Agriculture is a lifestyle," Rilla was quoted. "You're living with nature, and you never quite know year to year what will happen. There are good years and bad years, some driven by the market and some by nature itself. I have tremendous admiration for folks who make their living in agriculture, because it's not easy."
Watershed management farm advisor David Lewis will succeed Rilla as county director.